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Brown County's Seventy-Five Years 

Fair Alma Mater, 'round thy face 

Clings with a meek and noble grace 
The sweet serenity of years. 

Thou st added to the olden charm 
The mellow beauty born of time. 

With loving hearts, a diadem 

We bring to crown thy youthful prime. 

Full joyously then strike the lyre, 

The golden cup is running o'er, 
Its ruby drops like liquid fire 

A-trembling, all their wealth outpour. 
Attune the joyful lay still higher, 

And raise to Heaven the brimming store! 

Brown County's Golden Jubilee. 



Patient she stands, as one with grief acquaint, 
And lo! the prismed tears on her fair cheek 
In Heaven's laughing light gleam diamond 
This radiant day. Above the mists that cling 
About her feet, she looks beyond, serene, 
Untroubled still. The rose of future dawns 
Shall touch to life and joy her spirit strong. 
She knows the rock whereof her base is hewn, 
And waits, aware, the inscrutable design. 



Lilting carillons ring out! 

Lo! her children swell the shout, 

Glad and high unto the stars: — 
Alma Mater, tender, true, 

Diamond-crowned, bepearled with dew, 
Tears God's light is shining through. 

Strength of thine throbs in our veins. 

Through our lives thy quickening reigns. 
Live thou, — Flame upon the height,- 

Beckoning upward 'thwart the night, 
Wind-fanned, constant in thy might! 



FOREWORD 

And when the bitter war was on and our heroes 
gripped in the fight, she looked up from her busy task, 
and called to her daughters, and said : 

"And you, what have you done, my daughters, 
in this business of your father?" 

Straightway, to Alma Mater, as in response to the fine 
slender note of the Pied Piper, out from hamlet and 
town and hill and dale, over river and rill and peak, 
there came trooping once more her children, — so to the 
arms of motherhood comes ever the child with its 
trophies, — 

"* * * * Rosy cheeks and flaxen curls, 
And sparkling eyes and teeth like pearls, 
Tripping and skipping ****** 
* * * * With shouting and laughter;" 

so that all the air was made sweet with the music of 
their familiar voices. 

And in this little book m se * down what they said. 

So now, when fickle fame, crying out, points the finger in 
scorn, "Vah! What hast thou to show for thy five and 
seventy years of homely toil and futile dreams?" — 
she draws aside the curtain of the years, and, like the 
stately Roman matron, proudly smiles, — 

"Behold My Jewels, — My Diamonds!" 



^ar ^ortt at rtje Content 

But it was in the Brown County Chapel that this real 
War Work was done. 

Robert Hugh Benson made a master stroke when he 
described the nun kneeling at her prie-dieu in silent prayer 
before the Blessed Sacrament — like a great financier, seated 
motionless in his city office, while every movement of the 
connecting wires tingles out from that still room all over the 
world, with a power that sways fortunes and human lives. 
"I perceived", he goes on, "I perceived that the black figure 
knelt at the center of reality and force, and with the move- 
ments of her will and lips controlled destinies for eternity. 
There ran out from this peaceful chapel, lines of spiritual 
power, bewildering in profusion and terrible in intensity . . 
souls leaped up and renewed the conflict . . . struggled from 
death into spiritual life at the feet of the Redeemer on the 
other side of death. . . This nun, behind these walls, here in 
the silence of grace ! . . . with the cries of people and nations, 
and of persons whom the world counts important, sounding 
like the voices of children at play in the muddy street out- 
side " 

Since America's entrance into the war, prayer has been 
offered up incessantly at Brown County — prayer and self- 
denial and labor. The Holy Hour before the altar has been 
made repeatedly, with special devotions and hymns for our 
brave boys "over there". The Church's beautiful War Time 
Collects from the Missal, and Prayers for Victorious Peace, 
and Prayers for Christendom, and Prayers for Days of Pesti- 
lence, have been daily recited. Governor Cox asked for a 
general Day of Prayer; President Wilson called for another; 
the Holy Father urged the solemn consecration of Families 
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; our most Reverend Archbishop 
gave permission for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on 
the third Sunday of each month, so that with the regular 
Exposition days of the Community, it made a continuous 



ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



chain of supplication, for the soldiers, the suffering, the dead, 
the bereaved. And the Benedictions, the Masses and Com- 
munions, of nuns and little girls, have been poured out in 
that quiet chapel, like incense, in loving petition to the Master, 
Who even in joy, bears yet in Hands and Feet those Wounds 
that used to bleed for men! 



Thus, Brown County Convent lost no time in finding a 
Bit to do for the War. Knitting needles were soon clacking 
busily, hospital garments were under way. It was said of 
Mother Assistant (Mechtilde) that she knitted while she 
walked along in the dark. By September the War Work of 
the school was organized; all time devoted in former years to 
the famous "plain sewing" and embroidery was devoted in 
1917-18 to War Work of the Red Cross. In the Directress' 
room hung a long Roll of Honor for sweaters, helmets, scarfs, 
wristlets. 

Every species of war economy has been practiced, — 
especially in the nuns' refectory, — everything according to 
Mr. Hoover's own heart; perhaps the greatest self-denial of 
all was in gasoline, since Brown County's automobile, and 
Oak Street's as well, exists so far — only in dreams! 

Meanwhile, Mother Mechtilde gathered together the 
women of St. Martin and the vicinity into a Red Cross Chap- 
ter, Perry Township Branch, with headquarters at the con- 
vent, and Miss May Scanlon of St. Martin was made Secre- 
tary and Treasurer. On Thursday afternoons, the Studio 
rooms, — in olden times, the Day Class, were given over to 
Red Cross work and a very good record was made. 

In February, 1918, the Brown County girls gave a beau- 
tiful Colonial Ball for the benefit of the Red Cross. Under 
direction of Sister Jerome, Mistress of the First Department, 
they planned and made their own costumes in a most attrac- 
tive color scheme, so that with powdered queues and patches, 
the dames and beaux seemed to have slipped out of some ball- 
room of '76. The Play Hall was decorated with pink roses 
and greens, and the lights and music added a sparkle to young 
eyes. There were all sorts of fancy dances and a stately march. 



CONVENT WAR WORK 



Posters had been put up in neighboring towns, and though 
the weather was phenomenally severe, with heavy snow, quite 
a number of people came in country sleighs, and about sev- 
enty dollars was taken in. 

Only in a very modest way has the convent been able to 
contribute to the financial calls of the war. But friends have 
been thoughtful and generous. The Alumnae Association in 
June, 191 7, voted a Hundred Dollar Liberty Bond to the 
Community. Mrs. Mary Gomier Freschard — always Lady- 
Bountiful to her dear Brown County — sent a Hundred Dollar 
Liberty Bond as her Christmas present. Mrs. Ada Boyle 
Wetterer, of Cincinnati, presented a hundred dollars to the 
new Oak Street Chapel Fund, which was at once invested in 
a Liberty Bond, and finally the enthusiastic Oak Street chil- 
dren of 19 1 7-1 8, bought a Fifty Dollar Liberty Bond and 
presented it to the nuns for the Chapel Fund. 

The Dramatic Pageant usually given on the lawn of 
recent years, at Commencement time, was in 1918 converted 
into a Red Cross Benefit, and about five hundred dollars 
raised for our soldier boys. 

The Convent grounds looked like a dream world under 
the artificial lights, with a moon struggling through. Every 
artistic point in the landscape was utilized — Lake Stanislaus, 
Solomon's Run, the battlements of the Gothic chapel. Real 
sheep were brought in from the farm and added their pathetic 
bleating to Jeanne's tragic tale. One of the Convent horses, 
"Jim" a sometime gift of Mr. Frank Messman, carried The 
Maid through her triumph with such an air that the nuns 
declared he knew he was acting a part. The little white 
crosses carried by. the Folk of Orleans in the procession were 
brought to light from an obscure corner in the "granary" — 
the same identical crosses brought over from France in '45, 
and used by the French nuns in olden times when they had 
the processions of the Blessed Sacrament through the woods 
to Confirmation Hill, and good old Monseigneur the Arch- 
bishop preached five times on the way! 



ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



A Pageant of Jeanne d'Arc 
Tuesday Evening, June Eighteenth 

On the Lawn 
At a Quarter to Eight o'Clock 

By the Ursuline Nuns, based upon the text of the original process. Staged, costumed 
and coached by the nuns. 

Every incident is historically authentic, and Jeanne's words are taken almost entirely 
from history. 

Part First 

I. — The Cottage at Domremy. 
II. — Jeanne before the Dauphin at Chinon. 
III. — Jeanne raiseth the Siege of Orleans. 

Entr'acte — Jeanne's letter to the City of Tours. 
IV. — The Coronation of the Dauphin, Charles VII, 
at Rheims Cathedral. 
Here endeth Jeanne' 's human triumph. 

Part Second 

Here beginneth Jeanne's spiritual triumph. 
Entr'acte — Jeanne captured at Compiegne. 
V.— Jeanne is condemned by the Inquisition. 
VI. — Jeanne wins her spiritual victory. 
death, where is thy sting! 

Characters of the Pageant 

Jeanne d'Arc . . . Miss Margaret Mclntyre 

Jacque d'Arc, her father Miss Margaret McDonough 
Jeanne's Mother .... Miss Virginia Straus 

Pierre d'Arc, Jeanne' brother . Miss Virginia Johnson 
Antoine, Jeanne's lover . . . Miss Mary Barnes 
Hauvette j Miss Alberta Majewski 

Mengette V Jeanne's companions Miss Marian Cahill 

Etienne ) Miss Ella Connole 

The Dauphin, Charles VII Miss Clementine Ritchie 

La Tremouille . . . Miss Rose Evelyn Wagner 
La Hire Miss Mary C. Dillon 



CONVENT WAR WORK 



Dunois .... 
Pasquerel, Jeanne's confessor 


Miss Mary Rainey 
Miss Anna Louise Connor 


Lady of Treves 


Miss Nina Sun 


Lady of Gai court . 
Cauchon, Bishop of Beauvais 
Jean Beaupere, Judge . 
Jean Massieu, clerk 


Miss Dorothy Grimes 

Miss Alice Casey 

Miss Kathryn Prosser 

Miss Florence Snider 


Boisguillaume, clerk 
Page to Jeanne 
Saint Michael 


Miss Grace Makley 

Miss Jane Ward Johnson 

Miss Margaret Shelley 


Group of Singers 




Towns People 


Soldiers 


Folk Dancers 


Monks 


Children 


Heralds 


Singing: 




Attende Domine 




Veni Creator 




Dies Irae 





May 4, iqi8. 



His Excellency Governor Cox had expected to attend the 
Red Cross Benefit, but was detained by the death of his child. 
The following letter was much appreciated by nuns and chil- 
dren: 

State of Ohio 

Executive Department 

Columbus 

School of the Brown County Ursulines, 
Saint Martin, Ohio. 

My dear Sister: 

From present indications I can be with you on June 
tenth. It will be a pleasure to come down and discuss the 
only thing people are interested in now — the war — with your 
students and guests. 

With every good wish, I am, 

Very sincerely yours, 

James M. Cox. 



ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



Wyoming, Cincinnati, Ohio, 
September 30, 1918. 
Dear Sister: 

In answer to your request, I'll try to tell you something 
of our Graduation Pageant, which by confirmation of every 
member of the Class of 1918, was the prettiest ever given in 
Brown County. 

It is a long, long story, but I will start at the very begin- 
ning to tell you, so you will understand it all. 

It was given for the Benefit of the Red Cross, an admis- 
sion of twenty-five cents being charged, and all the people 
of the surrounding country were invited to come, as well as 
all the friends and relatives of the girls, who come up from 
the city every June to witness Brown County's Pageant. 

My! How excited we were that April morning when you 
came into the class room to tell us of your plans for Jeanne 
D'Arc, for that was what it was to be. It was to start with 
Jeanne as a peasant girl at Domremy, with her apparitions 
and voices, and depict the events of her life, her triumphs and 
defeats, to her execution. It was to include her interview 
with the Dauphin, and after obtaining his permission she was 
to lead the armies joyously into Orleans. After all this she 
was to accomplish that for which she had been sent, to lead 
the Dauphin to be crowned at Rheims. This over, she was 
to be led to her tragic and heroic death at the stake in 
Rouen. 

It all seemed as one grand dream at first, but it was a 
dream that was to come true, for almost immediately we 
began to rehearse. Backgrounds were picked out on the lawn 
which would be most suitable for each scene, from the peasant 
cottage to Rheims Cathedral, to be represented by our Chapel 
seen through the trees. 

At first the rehearsals were few and far between, but as 
time flew by they became more frequent and longer. Some- 
times it was just Jeanne and her lover in the sheep pasture, 
other times the great street crowds of Orleans. 

Soon the time came for dress rehearsals, and how thrilling 
they were! Poor Margaret Mclntyre, for she was Jeanne, 



CONVENT WAR WORK 



had more than one dress rehearsal to go through. Her change 
from peasant to warrior made a striking contrast. I suppose 
I should suffix "ette" to that warrior, for that is what she 
would be called in these times. 

All the costumes were beautiful, from the courtly trains 
of the dancing coquettes to the shining breast plates of the 
soldiers. No effort was spared to make each girl's costume 
the most appropriate for the character she was to portray. 

Before we knew it, the time had passed for short rehearsals, 
and frequently whole evenings were devoted to the Pageant. 
Short parts and long parts were gone over with great thor- 
oughness, time after time, until they were approved. We 
worked on our costumes daily to add the finishing touches. 
Last but not least came the wonderful lights which make the 
real beauty of an evening play, so generously given by "Uncle 
Bob," Mr. Robert Wolfe of Columbus, and Mr. George Kelly 
of Springfield. The horses were decorated with elaborate 
furnishings, for several of us had to ride. 

The real performance was given on Monday evening, the 
seventeenth of June. The night was ideal and the moonlight 
was glorious. Each girl performed her part nicely and was 
enthusiastically applauded by the large audience. The admis- 
sion fee amounted to $500, which was given to the Red Cross, 
a sum which well repaid us for our work. 

Lastly, dear Sister, comes our gratitude and appreciation 
to you, for the most important part of all, the writing of the 
libretto and the superintending of the whole performance. 
Had it not been for you, with your splendid enthusiasm and 
plans, Jeanne D'Arc would not have met with half the suc- 
cess it did. When we think of the play now, we think not only 
of the lovely effects you produced, but of the hours of patient 
labor you so generously gave, and the success of the Pageant 
was the result of your untiring efforts. 

I hope I have succeeded in giving you a general idea of 
our preparations, for it really was so interesting to notice the 
progress of so big an undertaking. 

Give my love to all the dear Nuns in Brown County, 
also the girls who are lucky enough to be back this year. I 



ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



have not quite become used to the fact that I am not there 
at school, but I am there in my thoughts just the same. 
All my love to you. 

Devotedly, 

Clementine Ritchie. 



WAR WORK AT OAK STREET CONVENT 
CINCINNATI 

As soon as America declared War our little Oak Street 
School thrilled with patriotism. For years, a group of ladies, 
some Alumnae, some new friends, some Protestants, some 
Catholics, have been accustomed to gather at the Convent 
every second Monday afternoon to sew for the poor. Tea 
was served by the younger ladies and there was always a 
genial gathering. Eventually, they formed themselves into a 
Chapter of the Martha, auxiliary to Catholic Church Exten- 
sion, to which they sent many boxes of clothing and church 
linens. Oak Street School has always done definite charitable 
work. Every Christmas they send a barrel of substantial 
eatables to the poor through the Visitation Society. They 
have given entertainments for various causes, notably the 
Children's Nursery in care of the Sacred Heart Convent 
Sodality. So the women of the Martha now formed them- 
selves into the Ursuline Unit for War Work — the very first 
Unit formed in Cincinnati. All summer they met at the Con- 
vent and sewed; and they took a very active part in the big 
Bazaar, organized by all the Catholic Societies of Cincinnati, 
for the Chaplain's Aid Fund. Later, when parishes began 
to organize, the nuns suggested that the Ursuline Unit be 
dissolved, the ladies entering each into her own parish Unit, 
while the Oak Street School was made into a Junior Red 
Cross Unit. In September a prize patriotic pin was offered 
by Mrs. Alma Furste of Hyde Park for the best knitted sweater 
in the school by November. The following letter will best 
tell who won it. 



CONVENT WAR WORK 



Norwood, Ohio, 
October, 1918. 
Dear Sister: 

You wish me to give an account of our Sweater Contest 
for the War Work at Oak Street. 

Last winter with its severe cold kept our soldier boys in the 

camps in our minds Mother Josephine asked each one of 

us to knit a sweater, and to excite interest a medal was offered 
for the neatest and best-knit sweater. Many a tear-stained 
eye there was in the next few weeks as we tried to purl, and 
to avoid dropping the stitches. Two days before Thanks- 
giving our fate was sealed; sixty sweaters were considered 
good enough to enter into the competition. They were ex- 
hibited on tables in the back parlor, where all the parents and 
friends could see, and a Committee consisting of Mrs. Charles 
Lyman of Hyde Park, and Mrs. John Rettig, of Walnut Hills, 
decided the prize. Mr. Robert Wolfe of Columbus, who was 
to have come to make the speech was called to an inspection 
tour at Camp Sheridan, so Mr. George Burba, of the Co- 
lumbus Dispatch came instead and made a most interesting 
War Speech. He was introduced by Mr. Robert Wuest of 
Cincinnati, who as husband of a Brown County girl (Miss 
Flora Strobel), said a great many nice things about the nuns. 
Frances Walsh, Mr. Walsh's daughter, won the prize. It was 
all very nice and characteristic of all affairs given by the 
Ursuline School — namely, a huge success. (Frances Walsh is 
daughter of Mrs. Frances Seymour Walsh of the Alumnae.) 

With kindest regards and best wishes from all the girls, 
Affectionately, 

LORETTO MADDOCK. 



Every week during the winter, numbers of sweaters and 
knitted things galore were sent in to headquarters. Oak 
Street is very proud of its boys; it receives only the elite of 
the male sex — that is to say, just Boy Scouts — and little 
Brothers! And each boy, out of great tribulation managed 
to knit a square for a big soldier's blanket, mighty nice on a 
chilly night on board ship. Fine training in deftness of fingers, 



10 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

that. But mostly these boys rivalled the little girls in the 
Thrift Stamp Campaign, which was thus commended by the 
Chairman. 

Hamilton County War Savings Committee 
336 Walnut Street 

Cincinnati, Ohio, 
October 26, 1918. 
Dear Sister: 

In grateful appreciation it was decided by the judges to 
offer in behalf of the Hamilton County War Savings Com- 
mittee to the leader of each school special prizes, consisting of 
one five dollar War Savings Stamp. We are glad to advise 
you that Mary Elizabeth Ferguson was the successful con- 
testant at your school, and we have informed her accordingly. 
Your patriotic efforts in directing the War Savings Stamp 
work at your school have been of inestimable value, and will 
be manifest in the uplift of the Nations. In earnest appre- 
ciation, I am 

Yours very truly, 
Hamilton County War Savings Committee, 
Alfred G. Allen, Chairman. 

In the Liberty Loan Drive the children conceived the 
idea of buying a Bond and presenting it to the Oak Street 
Chapel Fund. The following notice is from the Times-Star, 
October 20th: 

Liberty Day was celebrated at the Ursuline School, Oak 
and Reading Road, with great enthusiasm. Boys and girls 
were pouring in their contributions to the School Liberty 
Bond, and they were excited by the fact that they were to 
buy their Bond from the charming little actress, Miss Mar- 
guerite Clarke, who, like them had been a pupil of the Brown 
County Ursulines. Miss Clarke sent word for the children to 
go down to the Sinton Hotel, so the Class of 19 18, Misses 
Helen Butler, Edith O'Neill, Gertrude Sullivan, Marian Dick- 
erson and Viola Richardson, in state, chaperoned by Mrs. 
Wesley Furste (Alma Dekkebach) of Mount Auburn, were 



CONVENT WAR WORK 11 

received by Miss Marguerite in her apartment at the Sinton, 
where Rosemarian Burke, aged six, presented for the school 
the following letter: "Dear Miss Marguerite Clarke: I guess 
you will think I am a very little girl, but I am much bigger 
than I was, because God sent a new baby brother to our house 
yesterday. The girls and boys at Oak Street School have 
sent me, and we are Brown County Ursuline children, and I 
guess you know what that means! They sent me to buy a 
Liberty Bond from you, because we all love Miss Marguerite 
Clarke, and the nuns say they are very proud of her, she is 
so good and so sweet. They sent me to buy a Liberty Bond, 
because we all think that is the biggest thing we know how 
to do, for our school and our country. Signed, Rosemarian 
Burke." The petition for the Bond was then formally pre- 
sented at the public booth on Fountain Square, witnessed by 
an amused crowd. 

At Commencement time it was decided to give an out- 
door entertainment at Oak Street Convent for the Knights of 
Columbus War Fund. The lawn is just sufficiently retired 
from the street to afford a good situation, with the action 
centered at the beautiful stone loggia in the rear of the house, 
the area ribboned off as far as the statue of Our Lady of Vic- 
tory which was also utilized. About seven hundred people 
were present. Miss Edith O'Neill has written for the Alumnae 
the following account of the Lawn Entertainment and Grad- 
uation. 



South Norwood, Ohio, 
September 12, igi8. 
Dear Sister: 

That day of days is gone but will never be forgotten by 
our class. From the year's beginning we had planned every 
detail, but we owe thanks to Mother Josephine who worked 
so patiently and steadily with us and I am sure it was her 
novel idea that made the Commencement Exercises the happy 
climax of our school days. I have heard several compli- 
mentary remarks about it. One lady said everything was 
performed with such sweetness and simplicity that the atmos- 
phere was just such as it should be about a school girl. Another 



12 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

told me she enjoyed the entertainment because it was just 
long enough and not at all tiresome. Dear Sister, no doubt 
you think me a boastful person, but I could go on forever 
telling the pleasant things people have said about my dear 
School. Whenever I use its name I feel a certain thrill, and 
my four classmates agree with me when I say it makes us 
realize that we have really taken the first step in the great 
Walk of Life and that when the struggle becomes too great, 
we have at least one staunch friend to whom we may turn. 
Thoughts something like these swept through my mind as I 
walked up the aisle on Graduation Day. Our little Flower 
Girls trudged beside us, as if guiding us to the portals of the 
world. We carried bouquets of red roses, symbol of our love 
for our dear teachers and companions. The stage was very 
prettily arranged. Large bunches of daisies and tiger lilies 
were placed about in wicker baskets and Old Glory was draped 
over George Washington's picture. This was appropriate, for 
our Conversation was entitled "Washington's Farewell Ad- 
dress". The exercises were opened by a song. Then Helen 
Butler, our talented pianiste, played Mendelssohn's Rondo 
Capriccioso. Following this came our conversation on George 
Washington, each of us giving some special point in his life, 
his Mother, his Education, his Character, his Home Life and 
Public Life. Much to my surprise, I received the medal for 
Christian Doctrine. Three little girls then cleverly recited a 
piece of poetry in French, and finally everyone was amused 
at Master Roland Ryan, who "rendered" with great expres- 
sion the little verse called "The Robin". 

Then came the great triumph of receiving our diplomas 
and being crowned with our laurel wreaths. We felt that our 
foundation of life was made firm by our education, received at 
the hands of that grand and glorious Order, the Ursulines of 
Brown County. Our first victory had been won. The most 
touching part of the program was the Coronation Ode. It 
made us realize what the companionship of the nuns and girls 
had meant to us during the years we had spent with them, 
and it made us strong in our resolve to visit Oak Street fre- 
quently. The Address given by Rev. George McGovern, S J., 
closed the exercises of the day. We received the guests in the 
parlors and in our excitement forgot all about our little flower 



CONVENT WAR WORK 13 

girls. But they had no such intentions, for that same evening 
we gave an entertainment for the Knights of Columbus War 
Fund, and there were our little girls as dear and sweet as ever. 
They knew it was their turn to be prominent. The whole 
entertainment was along patriotic lines. The Convent grounds 
were illuminated by electricity. Two large lights were focused 
on the girls as they did a pretty scarf dance, to soft tones of 
harp and violins. The most striking event of the evening was 
the Pageant of Columbia. The several Allies were represented 
by groups of the little Oak Street children, and the lights 
shifted and played on the lovely National colors of which the 
Red, White and Blue is always the most lovely. Then ice 
cream and cake and punch and cigars were sold while a Mov- 
ing Picture, gift of Mr. Gus Sun of Springfield, Ohio, was 
shown. Much merriment was caused by the "Nonsense Par- 
cels" sold by the girls. The affair was quite a success. Well, 
Sister, I hope I have given at least some idea of what occurred 
at Oak Street, June n, 191 8. 

With love from me and all our Class to the nuns at 
Brown County. 

Mary Edith O'Neill, Class of 1918. 



The financial results of the Knights of Columbus Benefit 
are set forth in the letter that follows : 

New Haven, Connecticut, 
August 21, 1918. 

Reverend and dear Mother Josephine: 

It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge officially the 
receipt of check for #436.65, representing the proceeds of a 
Lawn Fete conducted by you for the Knights of Columbus 
War Camp Fund, and in behalf of all concerned to thank you 
most heartily for this very gracious action on your part. Your 
co-operation will be most helpful to us in the prosecution of 
our work for the soldiers and sailors. 



14 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

May I ask you to accept for yourself, and to convey to 
all who helped to make the affair a success, our heartfelt 
gratitude for their assistance. 

Respectfully yours, 

William J. McGinley, 

Supreme Secretary, Knights of Columbus. 



The Oak Street School now numbers a hundred and eight 
pupils. The needs of the school urgently demand larger space 
for an auditorium, and especially a chapel. It is hoped that 
in the near future a modest addition may be made. The fol- 
lowing notice from the Enquirer, September, 191 8, upon the 
opening of school, gives a brief idea of its present standards: 

A Commercial Course of two years, and a Course in 
Spanish are among the new features introduced this year at 
the School of the Ursulines, Oak Street and Reading Road, 
which resumes its classes September 12th. Registration takes 
place September 9th. A new course in Oral English is to be 
offered the young ladies of the higher classes this year, to 
satisfy a present demand in the woman's world, namely exer- 
cise of clear thinking and direct speaking upon questions of 
the day. 

The Oak Street School is affiliated with Cincinnati Uni- 
versity and with Catholic University, Washington, D. C. 
Several of its recent graduates are working towards A. B. at 
Cincinnati University, Misses Eleanor McDevitt, Marian 
Gau and Edith Thoman: one is at Trinity College, Washing- 
ton, D. C, Miss Anna Dubruhl; Misses Nellie Burns and 
Marjorie Huerkamp have been graduated at Miami Univer- 
sity in the Normal Department; Miss Helen Lemmon is work- 
ing for a Bachelor of Music Degree at Oberlin College; Miss 
Marion Lindsay has received the Teacher's Certificate for 
Violin at Cincinnati College of Music; and Miss Alice Collins 
has passed examinations and has successfully worked in the 
Children's Department, Cincinnati Public Library. All of 
these are now Alumnae, all loyal, and each a veritable 
"progeny of learning", as Mrs. Malaprop says! 



CONVENT WAR WORK 15 

Furthermore, Miss Dorothy Bridwell, Class of 1919, has 
obtained a Scholarship for the Alliance Francaise, through the 
kind efforts of Miss Grace Hulsman. "Miss Grace" and "Miss 
Gertrude", household names at Oak Street, are nieces of 
Archbishop PurcelPs Secretary, very Rev. Dr. Calaghan, a 
devoted benefactor of Brown County, well known to all old- 
time pupils, and who now lies buried in the Convent cemetery 
with the Archbishop and all the Purcell family. To speak of 
Oak Street Convent these eight years — (and "Oak Street" is 
indeed approaching its twenty-fifth year) — to speak of the 
school and its work without mentioning its two indefatigable 
teachers, Misses Grace and Gertrude Hulsman, would be 
almost like leaving the predicate out of the sentence. For 
these two gifted women, both of them born educators, one a 
graduate of the Sacred Heart, the other of Brown County and 
now an Alumnae Director, have done such things for the school 
and the Community — with their loving, untiring enthusiasm, 
their refinement and spirituality and tact, that Brown County 
can but follow what is set down in the Book of Gold : 

"And his mother kept all these things in her heart." 



By way of a bit of parenthetical gossip about the Convent, 
as in War Work an occasional sally is counted legitimate: 

Most Reverend Archbishop Moeller on the 18th of April 
conferred the religious habit upon Miss Elizabeth Messman, 
'15, E. de M., as Sister Mary Elizabeth, and Miss Mary 
McCarthy of Cincinnati, as Sister Mary Aloysius, while Miss 
Mary Krebs, '14, E. de M., of Lake Charles, Louisiana, pro- 
nounced her vows as Sister Bernadine. On the following 
Dec. 4, 19 1 8, Miss Marcella Kullman of Chicago, received the 
white veil as Sister Mary Catherine. Sister Rita's Silver 
Jubilee was celebrated Oct. 24th with High Mass and general 
rejoicing. 

In April, 191 8, there was an impressive little funeral at 
the Convent; Mrs. Annie Matthews Webb of Cincinnati was 
buried in the Convent cemetery, in accordance with a par- 
ticular privilege she had obtained from the Community some 
years ago. Mrs. Webb was a very saintly and interesting 



16 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

woman, who had become a Catholic in France under peculiarly 
interesting circumstances, largely through her friendship with 
the Comtesse de Chambrun. She has always been a great 
friend and benefactor of the Convent and remembered it in 
her will with a legacy of two thousand dollars. She was a 
member of the old Matthews family of Cincinnati; her nephew 
is the Right Reverend Paul Stanley Matthews, Protestant 
Episcopalian Bishop of New Jersey, and her niece, Sister Eva, 
is well known in the city as Foundress of the Convent of 
Episcopalian Sisters at Glendale, who conduct the Bethany 
Home for young girls. Her funeral was beautiful and simple 
on that Spring morning. She had been laid out by special 
privilege, in the white Dominican Habit of Tertiaries. Nuns 
and children with lighted tapers met the little procession on 
the main avenue, and walked down to the cemetery, chanting 
the De Profundis. With the members of the family came Mrs. 
Richard Mitchell, nee Pearl Lincoln, and Mrs. Charles Lyman, 
and Sister Eva with another of the Glendale Sisters whose 
visit to Brown County was a mutual pleasure. They all 
expressed themselves as happy to think of Mrs. Webb resting 
in that lovely and peaceful spot. 



But Mrs. Webb was not the only one who has brought 
gifts. Among the many kind remembrances, great and small, 
which gladden the heart of Alma Mater, two will be of notable 
interest to the Alumnae — the painting and renovating of 
Music Hall, through the generosity of Mrs. Nano Holton 
Sexton of Wyoming, Cincinnati, and the erection of a hand- 
some entrance at the head of the lane, an improvement long, 
long desired. It is of limestone with Bedford trimmings, in 
harmony with the stone bridges on the creek and in the lane, 
and with the gray Gothic chapel, and it is designed in the fine 
curve originally laid out for the entrance gate by Ma Mere 
Stanislaus. This is the gift of Mrs. W. J. Corcoran of Cin- 
cinnati, in memory of her late husband, and upon the occasion 
of her First Communion at Oak Street Convent. 

In spite of the pressure of hard times the high price of 
living, and, as old Mrs. Grundy complained, "It's nothin' but 



CONVENT WAR WORK 17 

somethin' all the time", the Convent debt has been reduced 
since the last Year Book from fifty thousand dollars to about 
thirty thousand; for old-fashioned people believe the great 
thrift is to pay your debts. 

So, on the whole, the Community holds its own in quiet 
steady fashion that seems in harmony with old traditions. 
There is a story told of the early days when the Main Building 
was being put up in 1846. The North wall was suddenly found 
to be out of plumb. Little Father Gacon volunteered to go 
down to the city next morning — by stage-coach — and to 
report to the architect. That night he had a vivid dream — he 
thought he saw the Blessed Virgin up over the new building, 
holding up the refractory wall. So startled was the good man 
that he arose, and ringing the nuns' bell in trepidation, told 
them his experience. Next morning the wall was found to be 
straight and the work progressed. . . And so they placed the 
Blessed Lady's Chapel at the North corner of the building, 
and Our Lady still, ... in every sense, . . . holds up the walls! 



The small silver heart that hangs in the Sodality chapel 
still contains the names of all the Enfants de Marie since the 
foundation of the house. The same beautiful ceremony still 
attends the Consecration. Ten young aspirants have recently 
won the coveted privilege. 

The Graduate Classes of 1916 were — at Brown County: 

Miss Kathryn Maescher, Cincinnati, O. 

Miss Agnes Little, Springfield, O. 

Miss Mary Louise Gerlach, Sidney, O., E. de M. 

Miss Grace Martin, Lake Charles, Louisiana. 

And at Oak Street: 

Miss Mary Grever Miss Eleanor McDevitt 

Miss Florence Klinkenberg Miss Marjorie Huerkamp 
Miss Adele Kipp 



18 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

Class of 191 7, at Brown County: 

Miss Pauline Bosart, Springfield, 0. 

Miss Louise Sun, Springfield, O. 

Miss Mary Ryan, Springfield, O., E. de M. 

Miss Florence Wetterer, Cincinnati, O., E. de M. 

Miss Marjorie Barnes, Bluefield, West Virginia 

Miss Kittie Pauli, Dusseldorf, Germany, E. de M. 

Kittie Pauli is granddaughter of one of the first pupils of 
Brown County, Josephine Corr Mackenzie; and daughter of 
a second generation of pupils, Mrs. Emma Mackenzie Pauli; 
she was sent to the Convent in care of a chaperone in 191 3, 
her mother expecting to follow to this country shortly. To 
Emma's dismay, when war broke out she found that the Ger- 
man government considered her, ipso facto, by marriage, a 
German subject. It did not take the daughter long to get 
out her own papers when she came of age. 

Class of 191 7, Oak Street: 

Miss Anna Dubruhl Miss Helen Lemmon 

Miss Margaret White Miss Alice Collins 

Miss Angela Moorman Miss Mary Blanche Maggini 
Miss Edith Thoman 

Class of 191 8, Brown County: 

Miss Margaret Mclntyre, Columbus, O. 
Miss Dorothy Grimes, Nashville, Tenn., E. de M. 
Miss Clementine Ritchie, Cincinnati, O. 
Miss Margaret Macdonough, Cincinnati, O., E. de. M. 
Miss Cecilia Overman, Cincinnati, O., E. de M. 
Miss Alice Casey, Springfield, O., E. de. M. 
Miss Florence Snider, Wheeling, West Virginia, E. de M. 
Miss Alberta Majewski, West Palm Beach, Florida, 
E. de M. 

At Oak Street: 

Miss Helen Butler Miss Gertrude Sullivan 

Miss Edith O'Neill Miss Viola Richardson 

Miss Marian Dickerson 



CONVENT WAR WORK 19 

Class of 19 19, at Brown County: 

Miss Mary Barnes, Bluefield, West Virginia. 
Miss Nina Sun, Springfield, Ohio. 
Miss Ella Connole, Columbus, O' 
Miss Anna Louise Connor, Lexington, Ky. 
Miss Genevieve Gerlach, Sidney, O. 
Miss Gertrude Ernest, Westboro, O. 
Miss Mary Cooke, Augusta, Ky. 
Miss Melba Bowen, Columbus, O. 

At Oak Street: 

Miss Mildred Kipp Miss Katherine Butler 

Miss Dorothy Bridwell Miss Rosemary McDevitt 



Many relatives of the nuns have fought in the American 
Expeditionary Forces, and have kept the Convent in close 
touch with the great adventure. Mother Mechtilde's sister, 
Carrie, who had the rare privilege of nursing just two miles 
from the Front near the Chemin des Dames, has contributed 
a thrilling experience to our Alumnae War Work Book. Her 
brother was interpreter with the Marines. Sister Gonzaga 
had a nephew in the Signal Service. Sisters Monica and Jose- 
phine had eight nephews in Army and Navy, Sister Augustine, 
several cousins. Sister Dominic and Sister Mary Ursula have 
brothers and cousins in the British Army. Sister M. Cath- 
erine's brother is on a destroyer in the Mediterranean. Sister 
Louise, Sister Mary James, Sister Rita, Sisters M. Frances and 
M. Thomas, all have cousins and other relatives at the front. 

Many are the prayers that have followed them, and with 
glad hearts their home-coming is awaited — "From the morning 
watch even unto night . . . hope in the Lord." 

Sister Bernardine's brother, one of three in the service, 
Jack, Bernard, of the Field Signal Battalion and Julian, Mid- 
shipman at Annapolis, is a graduate of the Rollo School of 
Mines, Univ. Missouri, and as a member of Battery A, 18th 
Field Artillery, American Expeditionary Forces, felt himself 
rather chagrined, when after his first battle he had to write his 



20 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

sister that his "only severe loss was the seat of his trousers, in 
sliding down hill"! 

October 18, iqi8. 

"Talk about mud," writes he; this is the stickiest I ever 
did see. . . Our guns keep sinking down in it until we have to 
build platforms under them. Then every time we fire, the 
trail ploughs up about an acre. Even the shells that Fritzie 
throws in here half the time bury themselves in the mud with- 
out striking anything with enough resistance to set off the 
fire. ... As a rule the war is very tame back in the artillery 
positions. Sometimes we get a little goo, and sometimes 
they pick a target and shell it. . . I have seen lots of Germans 
when they were coming back under guard. But I have never 
yet got a close-up view of the fighting brand, although we 
have been in the thick of it for over three months. . . About 
three weeks ago I watched our shells land around one of their 
wagon trains about four miles away and the other day I could 
have seen them if it had not been for the mist. But otherwise 
I have never seen any of the real fighting, and there are very 
few in the outfit who have. . . We have been in this position 
about five days now and it has been raining ever since we 
arrived. Pete and I dug us a little cubby-hole about 2}4 feet 
deep and just long and wide enough to crawl in. We made our 
fatal mistake the first night, that was, we stretched a shelter 
half over our hole and pegged it down. Of course it rained, 
and the shelter caught nearly all the water that fell on it, but 
along about two in the morning it had all it could support, 
so the peg on one side quietly slipped out, and we had our 
first bath since the last of August. . . We bailed out our hole, 
scraped out the mud, and built a fire in it, and have had a fire 
every day. There is a German observation balloon peeping 
over the hill at us while ours behind are returning the compli- 
ment, and for the first time in days we can hear our aviators 
going over to scout for German positions. I lead a lazy man's 
existence up here at the front. Generally I go forward ahead 
of the guns to a new position; after it is located and the guns 
up, I lay the battery on the base point, then nothing to do 
until we move again. Here I spent one cold day and wet 



CONVENT WAR WORK 21 

night in our observation post but it was so foggy we could 
not see anything. . . Bumming meals is a favorite occupation 
here. . . Every time I see a kitchen with something good to 
eat, a hard luck story rises spontaneously to my lips. 

I would suggest candy if they still make it over there. 
Yesterday I paid a little less than a nickel for a piece of candy 
I wouldn't have looked at in the States. . . The Y. M. C. A. 
sells chocolate bars for fifteen cents but limits every man to 
one bar, and that is the only candy we get, and most of the 
time, being broke, we don't get that. It is rare we get any 
reading material here. If you send any, nix on wild adven- 
tures, I do not care for bloodthirsty tales. I don't think it 
will be long until we are all back home. . . 

Moving is one of the joys of being a soldier. We get out 
and hike for about fifteen or twenty minutes at nearly a run, 
and then something blocks the head of the column and we 
halt for an hour or so. We reached our echelon about twelve 
at night, and just as Pete and I were ready to crawl under our 
blanket we got orders to move forward with our guns! Gee, 
that's a fine feeling, along about twelve- thirty. . . Then for 
once we stepped into some real fighting. At ten-thirty they 
woke me up and said we were being shelled, to take to the 
trenches. At twelve the most infernal racket . . . every machine 
gun, rifle and air craft gun was going at top speed. There 
were five Boche airplanes over the line, sailing low. I saw 
four of them come down before I went back to sleep. And 
that is a sample of our program now day and night. . . Just 
now the Fritzies landed a shell about a hundred yards from 
our trench. . . You ought to have seen the scramble for the 
trench. There came another, closer still. I have just moved 
my seat to a more protected spot. It's getting too cold and 
dark to write more. Good-bye. With love to all, 

JACK, Knight of Columbus. 



One of the young heroes of the War who is also close to 
the hearts in Brown County, is a lad they have never seen — 
Michael Roche of Newark, New Jersey, who is grand nephew 
to Sister Mary Joseph Moran. Old pupils, long absent from 



22 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

the Convent, will place her as younger sister to Sister De Sales, 
who used so often to give hospitality to little groups of girls 
on a hot afternoon down in the deep, cool, clean dairy. Mich- 
ael Roche's letters to Brown County display in him the very 
cream of the American spirit that went "over the top" — a 
spirit in this case backed up by a goodly share of Ireland — 
God bless him! 



Camp McClellan, Anniston, Alabama, 
January 13, 1918. 
My dear loving Aunt: 

Just a few lines. . . It is still good and cold down here and 
we had a big storm of snow, and it threw all of our tents over, 
and we had to stay outdoors all the night and it snowed for 
five days and six nights and it hailed also and we have to work 
hard to keep warm so I guess you must know it is on sleeping 
out in the cold nights. I have received a letter from my 
mother and she said she was well and I was glad to hear that. 
. . . Good-bye to my dear loving Auntie. . . 



March 10th. 

I was to Confession Saturday night and I had Holy Com- 
munion Sunday morning, so I don't think I am so bad. I 
was down on the rifle range all this week and I am not sorry 
that the last day of the week is here. So I will have to go 
down Monday morning again. So now you can see we are 
trying hard to go over to lick the Kaiser and I don't think it 
will take us long to do it. . . We have a good pastor down here 
in camp, he is with the Knights of Columbus and he has all 
the boys in good shape, we have more fun with him. His 
name is Rev. Galagher and he likes us all, so you can see I am 
doing what's right. Well Auntie, it is getting warmer down 
here and if I am down here till the cotton blooms I will send 
you some that I picked. And may God bless you all. 

Michael Roche, 
Co. A., 113th Infantry. 



CONVENT WAR WORK 23 

May 24th. 

I was very glad to hear from you. . . I will be out of this 
place by the time this letter gets to you, but I will send you a 
line as soon as I get over there. . . Well, I haven't got the time 
to say more. . . Don't answer this letter because I won't 
get it. . . 

Your loving nephew. 

Camp Stuart, Newport News, 
June 10th. 
Well, Auntie, I am glad I am out of Alabama at last but 
I am sorry I can't get home to see my folks before I go away. 
I am going down to the docks tomorrow morning to get ready 
to go over, but I will do all I can to beat them Huns and to 
make the world a decent place to live in, so when I get over I 
will send you a line. I will never forget you. We all thought 
we were going up to Jersey, but we got fooled after all. After 
three days riding we landed in this place. I am over three 
hundred fifty miles from Newark and I can't get home because 
we don't know how long we will be here. Well, I have to do 
some work so I will make this letter short. 

Good-bye, 

Michael Roche. 



113th Infantry, 
Somewhere in France, 
July 11, iqi8. 
My dear Aunt: 

Just a few lines to tell you I am in the best of health and 
I also wish to hear the same from you. . . Well, France is a 
pretty good place after all. The people over here treat us 
boys fine, we can get most everything we need. So we haven't 
no kick coming, we are getting better treated than ever. But 
I sleep in a little billet over here and the rats come out at 
nights and have their fun with us but when it is time to sleep 
the leader says Wee-Wee and they all go oif so a fellow can't 
feel blue; well, that is I can't feel homesick because I been 



24 ALUMNAE YE AR BOOK 

in too long. But we have some new boys in our company and 
when they see the rats come out they near die. But we check 
them up. So we have our fun all the time. Well, Aunt, the 
Huns will be sorry they ever saw us when we get at them. 
Well, I am going to get them all they are looking for when 
they meet the 113th Infantry "going over the top". It is a 
long time before we get mail over here, like it takes a long time 
to come over. But I am feeling better than ever and we 
have no kick coming. And when you send a letter to my 
mother let her know that I dropped you a line. Good-bye. 
Your nephew. 

Somewhere in France, 
July 31, iqi8. 

. . . Getting along fine, we haven't a thing to worry 
about, the Huns are getting beaten up so bad that they won't 
know what is the matter. The Americans sure are fighting 
and taking everything over here and they got the Huns on 
the run and they haven't time to think. There is a place 
over here once called No Man's Land but now they call it the 
Americans', so things are going along. I am just being a little 
wilder every day, and I got the feeling that I can lick five of 
them at a time and I will do it before we get through over here. 
Hoping to hear from you and wishing you the best of luck, 
Your loving nephew. 

Somewhere in France, 
September 10, igi8. 
I was more than glad to hear from you. . . Things are 
going all right over here. I had already done my second turn 
in the trenches with the rats, every place I go the rats seem 
bigger. But they are good company, they only come around 
at night and that's enough and outside of that we haven't a 
thing to worry about. But the Huns are getting beat bad 
every day. They would send their big shells over on us, but 
when our guns got going they soon stopped, we put them out for 
some time. Gee, but it's nice to be out in No Man's Land nights 
when the shells are flying over our heads, they play a nice 
tune, but the boys don't mind that, they do most everything 



CONVENT WAR WORK 25 

in the world as long as they can get a crack at the Huns. 
They are falling back and they can't help theirselves, they 
haven't got time to look where they are going. . . Well, Auntie, 
I had a letter from Mother and everything is all right at home, 
baby is well, and also my brother Jimmie is getting along all 
right, so I guess they are all well at home. . . I guess I will 
close now, hoping to hear from you soon. Good-bye, 
Your loving nephew, 

Corporal Michael Roche, 

Co. A, 113th Infantry. 

On October 29th there came a letter from this brave 
boy's mother: 

"I heard from Michael. He is in the Base Hospital, 
gassed. . . Bad luck to the Germans night and day". 

Bridget Roche. 



In the morning paper Newark, New Jersey, occurred this 
item: 

RECOVERING FROM WOUNDS 

Sergeant Michael J. Roche. . . this city. . . is in a base 
hospital in France recovering from wounds received in action 
on Oct. 1 2th. In a letter dated Oct. 15th he stated that he 
was not. seriously wounded and expected to be back with his 
company in the near future. He enlisted in the old First 
Regiment in May, 1917. He was born in Harrison and attended 
Holy Cross School there. Previous to enlisting he worked as 
a spinner. His name appears on today's casualty list. 

November 28th, 
Somewhere in France. 

Just a few lines to tell you that I am in the best of health 
and getting along fine; I am out of the hospital about two 
weeks now and I am looking fine. . . hoping to be home soon 
and I sure will. . . 

Corporal M. Roche. 



ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



Newark, N. /., 
December 22, 1918. 

"Well, I have good news for you. I heard from my darling 
boy, and he is going to be home soon with the help of God. 
I had the first good laugh. . ." 

Bridget Roche. 



& 



Sister Perpetua's Community at Arras, in France, sus- 
tained the full brunt of the siege, and their letters, though 
severely censored, are full of thrilling detail . . .Two, from Sisters 
in one of their branch houses in the occupied territory, show 
what their existence has been. The nuns had their convent 
full of English, French and Scotch wounded all the time. 

Berck Plage, 
November 1, 1918. 
Dear Sister Perpetua: 

Yesterday I received a few words from you without any 
date. Your health is not good — I am sorry for that. Do not 
be discouraged. Suffering is a gift of God's special friendship. 
By the time you receive this, you will doubtless have received 
news of your sister (who was left at the mercy of the Germans). 
The Germans have abandoned Lille. The Allies are driving 
them back everywhere. Pray more than ever that the best 
interests of France may be understood by our governments 
and respected in the peace terms. Since the deliverance of 
Lille three telegrams, coming from three different directions, 
have informed my sister-in-law that her son, Jean, was at 
Lille at his uncle's house. It is a sort of miracle which we 
may devoutly wish confirmed. The first telegram was from a 
doctor from Armentieres who had taken refuge at Aire. But 
who could have told him? Alas! if it is a mistake, it will be 
cruel for the poor parents. The letters to Jean are still un- 
answered. Here is an incident showing the atrocities of our 
enemy: A German officer was lodging at Seclin in the house 
of Dr. Couvreur; — the officer departed from Seclin. The 



CONVENT WAR WORK 27 

maid was afterwards cleaning his room. Little Suzanne 
Couvreur followed her into the room. She noticed on the 
table a glass pencil case and amused herself examining it. 
Suddenly there was an explosion and four fingers of her left 
hand were blown off. You may imagine the feelings of the 
parents! . . .The Germans have thrown down into our towns 
from their avions, candies that were poisoned, and toys that 
have mutilated those who picked them up. They have sown 
death behind them everywhere. . . Offer my respects to your 
Reverend Mother, and my respectful regards to all your Sis- 
ters. 

ADieu! 

Soeur St. Agathe. 

Berck Plage , 
12 Aout, 1917. 
My dear Sister: 

... I was in the occupied territory last year — a sad Jubi- 
lee for me! ... Oh dear Sister, our prayers have been heard, 
for I can testify, we were visibly protected by Him. We suf- 
fered, suffered greatly from the invasion. From the first of 
October, 1914, until 14 April, 1917, we had them (German sol- 
diers) in our house, except one week that they left us alone. So 
all the rooms were theirs, the kitchen, the living rooms, the par- 
lors. Oh, we had them, and in every sort of condition. Some 
not so bad, some worse, some rough, but all arrogant; overriding 
us, spreading themselves out and making themselves at home 
in our house, till we were nowhere, until finally, they actually 
put us out of doors, which came to pass on Good Friday, eight 
days before the total evacuation of the village. M. le Cure 
offered us the large room in the presbytery; for me, the mayor 
gave me a room in his house. After the retaking by the Allies 
of the Plateau de Vimy, a German General came and installed 
himself in the Mayor's chateau with his staff. At once he 
transformed our chapel into an office. Good Friday was 
spent in stripping the Convent chapel and carrying the things 
to the presbytery. But let me tell you that we kept the 
Blessed Sacrament until the very last moment. They had 
left us the chapel all along, and the little room next to it which 



28 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

we used to call the sacristy, and where we had our bed, Mme. 
Vasseur and I ; Mme. Doret was the watch dog at night, occupy- 
ing a tiny corner near the door of the vestibule. . . These 
Messieurs spread themselves out in the beautiful apartments 
which they have left in such a state! dirty, drenched with bad 
odors, . . . curtains and hangings torn, . . . couches, chairs, or- 
naments broken, the best things stolen, carried off by this 
general, as also the beds, the linens, etc. . . Our property 
is ruined. We had permission to take only what we 
could carry away in our hands. So we tried to save 
the silver, the sacred vessels, all things essential. Eight 
days after this another move. This time from the 
village itself, and everybody! 476 people round about. 
What a scene, my Sister! I must tell you that we were 
not fed at the expense of the Germans either; it was an 
American Commission that furnished us: coffee, sugar, rice, 
lard, flour, and generously too, sufficient quantity. Mme. 
Doret managed so well that we never were hungry and we 
were not sick. Sr. Benedict Joseph raised some rabbits in the 
cellar; the little plot cultivated by her furnished good vege- 
tables. But there was no butter, no milk, no eggs, no oil for 
the preparation of the vegetables — (good school this, of war!) 
We traveled in cattle wagons to Roubaix — 24 hours — over the 
worst conditions, so that I was sick when I arrived there. 
After four weeks' waiting, we took the train to the interior, 
by way of Switzerland and central France; another stop of a 
week at Cahors. . . Finally, May 31st we reached Berck. I 
had taken only a little valise full of clothes. At Tourcoing 
we picked up Marie Pauchet who was so glad to go with us, 
for the north is so forlorn. Lille, Roubain, Tourcoing, are 
some of the towns maltreated by the Boches, pillaged, burned, 
ruined; they take there the young girls and the young men, it 
is appalling; the young girls are put to ploughing the fields 
in the Ardennes or elsewhere in the military camps; the boys 
labor in the trenches; they force them; they make them mine 
the French villages, which they foresee they will have to give 
up. You may believe the cruelties you read about. Per- 
sonally we have not witnessed their atrocities, but these are 
real. . . As religious, they did not treat us with disrespect, but 
our house witnessed their orgies!!! what nights we passed! 



CONVENT WAR WORK 



drinking, profanity, heard their songs, saw them with the 
women they introduced into our ^household until morning. We 
did not go to bed, any of us. And with all that, the cannon 
. . . such a roar as you can have no idea of. At night we saw 
the line of fire from Bapaume. Arras, Lens, as far as Bassee. 
Pray hard for our dear country. 

I have given you just a glimpse into our situation, you 
can easily imagine the plight in which we were: close to the 
Front, invaded by a wicked enemy, overrun with officers, 
soldiers in the out-buildings, caissons and wagons in the yard, 
munitions of war in the areas; and then in the house, there 
we were, . . . deprived of all news, not only of our families, 
but of France itself, constantly threatened with prison^or 
with being shot; oh, it was a hard existence! Offer my respects 
to all the community. . . Happy Feast of the Assumption!. . . 
Our Mothers and Sisters embrace you. . . 

Sister Marie Flor. 



Sister Perpetua has innumerable friends and relatives 
distressed by the war. Her mother, Madame Bertaux, who 
is nearly seventy years old, was exiled from her native village, 
Sailly la Bourse, between Bethune and La Bassee, and is still 
r^fugiee in the south of France at Borne. Two married sons 
are in the service, their families likewise exiled, and a married 
daughter with three children has not been heard of since the 
Germans took their home town, Henin-Lietard, Pas de Calais, 
near Arras. Efforts have been made through the Red Cross 
to trace them, but all in vain. The following letters from Ma- 
dame Bertaux speak for themselves: 

Sailly la Bourse, 
April 9, 191 5. 
My very dear Daughter: 

I am answering your letter which arrived the seventh, a 
day that was a bad one for us, and for everyone brought sad 
things. They sent 28 marmites (intended) for the mine ten 
minutes from here. They passed over our house with a ter- 
rible noise. I had begun my washing. I had kept Henri to 



30 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

help me. But I could not work, I was crying, and the Lieu- 
tenant, to keep me from crying said, "Come see, Madame, 
this one now, it is red, no, it is more blue, or no, it isn't either, 
it is violet!" and he laughed with my little one who was count- 
ing them. I was going outdoors, and there, there came an- 
other. I do not know if I even took four steps, it was ten 
steps to cover. Monsieur burst out laughing and said to 
Henri, "I thought that Madame did not know how to run 
any more; but I could not have kept up with her." That 
marmite, after killing an office boy and another civilian at 
the mine, there came a burst that made a hole in the roof of 
my washhouse and it split part of the stairway where a little 
baby was sleeping, and did not do anything to the child, only 
the mother began screaming when she saw all that dust in 
the room, and I tell you what, that Monsieur did not laugh 
any more! They say there have been several killed, so see, 
my dear child, . . . and when the shells stopped coming I went 
on with my wash, and each time that that Lieutenant leaves 
for the trenches, he pays me, and says, "Adieu, Madame, here 
I go down to Hell, hoping to come back and see you in four 
days." There are so many who never come back! Henri 
(her son) has written me that I can go and stay with them. 
You may be sure, my dear daughter, that I shall not go out of 
my house like I have done, at least not until they say the 
enemy is there, and then I shall go wherever I can. I wish 
they would let us alone with their marmites. that would be 
much better. . . You will perhaps say how is it that the mar- 
mite should have chosen my house instead of any other, but 
mine is not the first, there are plenty others. I must close as 
the postman will be gone. Do not grieve over the war. Let 
us pray for each other and for our dear absent ones. I embrace 
you a thousand times. Your mother who loves you, 

Madame Bertaux. 

Sailly la Bourse, 
24 Mai, 191 5. 
My very dear Daughter: 

Today in which I am writing, I was going to get some 
flowers at Monsieur the Mayor's, and resting in the garden, 
Madame asked me to come in; five minutes I had been seated 



CONVENT WAR WORK 31 

when there was a bomb that fell in the street by our old house; 
it made such a noise that I thought all the doors were tum- 
bling down and if I had not gone into the house — ! the frag- 
ments were raining along the way that I would have gone, 
and I would have been hurt. I thank the good God for having 
preserved me that I may pray to Him a little longer. . . If 
only my children could get back unharmed we would be 
thankful to the good God ! . . . You tell me to take care of my 
soldiers. . . they are all gone, no one knows where. The Lieu- 
tenant had the sciatica, they sent him to a hospital at Noeux, 
and he did not want to go, it was the third time he went away. 
He has just written to me. He likes Simone also, he sent 
him a big kiss and said that he would come back to see me. 
Now Monsieur the Mayor has given me two English, they 
are interpreters, they know French, English and German. 
They are very respectful. I lodge them and feed them and 
they pay me, but it is a great deal of work for me, but I did 
not like to refuse Monsieur the Mayor. I thought in having 
the English that I was going to learn their language, but no, 
not a word, yes, I made them sometimes speak German but it 
is worse than English. Among the lot of them there are some 
that are drinkers, and bad, but mine are good people. . . It 
is some time since I have had news of Henri. I was at the 
Mass of the English and there was an English priest, it does 
not suit me to hear him preach, I like ours better. There was 
a Captain serving the Mass, he was 2 metres 12 high when he 
was kneeling at the altar, you would have thought he was 
standing up. Now, my dear daughter, tell me if your health 
is better. Au revoir, my dear child, my English are gone to 
bed and I am going, too. Little Henri has been asleep an hour. 
Your mother who loves you. 
My flowers are pretty as usual and my vegetables also. 

Madame Bertaux. 

Sailly la Bourse, 
12 June, iqi6. 

. . . Since New Year's I have not had a letter from Henri 
(her son). I often see the children. . . even when times are 
bad, for if they want bread or some milk they have to go out 



32 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

and get it, because the bakers are all gone and they are still 
staying there. Leon would like to go but she would not. 
Here it is a year that they have been sleeping in the cellars. 
The 8th of June, feast of St. Medard, it rained a great deal 
and thundered, and the 9th again, the 10th and nth still the 
storm and rain, but that does not prevent my having a beau- 
tiful garden. Today is Pentecost, day of Solemn Communion, 
spite of the rain. It stopped about the hour of Mass. That 
pleased these dear children. Little Leon made his Confirma- 
tion but he did not know if they would make their Com- 
munions at their place. . . I made some little patties today 
for my dinner and had some potatoes big as eggs. I have 
already picked some leeks, but the English in my absence 
climb the wall and come in to eat my gooseberries. They are 
horrid. They say to those who see them do it, "Very good! 
Very good 1" .... About the thread, I have a little, it is of 
poorer quality than it was ... I sit down more than I stand, 
for my legs are older than my arms. I take care of my flowers. 
I have beautiful roses. I have only one little salvia, but 
plenty of other flowers . . . 

Sailly la Bourse, 
18 September, 1917. 
My very dear Daughter: 

... I saw Henri Dubois. He told me that there are some 
Americans at Bethune, not many — perhaps he was mistaken. 
He said their costume was something like the English, a little 
paler and the ... a little bit higher . . .if only I could go help 
my unfortunate children. . . this war is so sad . . . 

Sailly, 
November j, 1917. 

I am going to make you laugh now ... I am going to tell 
you that Monsieur le Mayor had some of the English haul 
some manure into his pasture next to my hedge of my gar- 
den, so I asked them to give me some as I needed some. They 
answered "No! My, no! No permission!" Just then Mon- 
sieur le Mayor's mother rapped at the window to call me in, so 
as her son was there I asked him if he would not let me take a 



CONVENT WAR WORK 



little manure for my garden here. "Oh take it," he said and 
as I would have had a hard time getting it over the hedge with 
a bucket, behold there comes a big Monsieur Englishman and 
he said, "Plenty work for you, Madame, no good. . . My car- 
riage! . . ." and he brought me a wagon of manure. I wanted 
to give him a franc, but he said, "Thank you, give it to my 
camarades ..." When they saw the 20 sous, ..." Again 
tomorrow, Madame!" . . . and I gave them each time a tip. 
I shall have manure for two years and none of the trouble of 
going to get it . . . 

But the lightheartedness was to be changed into tragedy. 
A few months saw her dear home in the hands of the enemy, 
its mistress toiling along the weary way of France's exiles. 

Anvin, 
April 14, iqi8. 

I am writing you these few words to say that I am on 
my way, . . . (into exile). I suffer from it . . . and I think I 
have to leave now for another direction, perhaps towards 
Rouen. As soon as I get there I will write you, and I will see 
that your letters reach me . . . What do you think of all this, 
my dear child? . . . What do you think of your mother being 
here? . . . Well, we must submit to the holy will of the good 
God . . .1 know well that you will not forget me . . . 

Borne, 
22 April, iqi8. 
My very dear Daughter: 

Today I must tell you that I have evacuated from Sailly 
la Bourse, and am many leagues from home, and not a single 
one of my children is. with me, I am with actual strangers. 
They took me out of kindness, they know Maria. They are 
from Fauquieres les Sens and they met her on the road from 
Henin-Lietard. I left for Verguigneul the first of April and 
we stayed there fifteen days. We took there some linen and 
a stove and a little cupboard and most of it stayed there. I 
took two full cases and a mattress and three blankets, and 
left at home all the furniture and two beds well furnished and 



34 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

a pillow at Verguigneul three blankets and a feather pillow — 
I wonder what will become of them. We arrived after eight 
days' traveling in cattle trains; we slept on the bottom with- 
out straw, with our bundles for pillows. Would you ever have 
believed that your mother would be in such a position, your 
mother who has so desired to have her children. I have had 
no news of them since 19 December . . . but people are good 
to me. Yesterday I had a headache, I could not eat. They 
went and got milk for me to drink hot . . . We are in a village 
of 300. It is the richest that are the least generous. They 
had to give us a house, it is very fine, we have four fine rooms 
but no coal and no work for us. Some good people have given 
us beds and some pillows, some shavings of wood — four beds 
and we are thirteen people! three families and we live all 
together. I get the meals, the others go gather brushwood in 
the woods to make the fire. The children went to ask if they 
would not lend us a saucepan or kettle or a tub to wash, and 
we tried not to spend anything, and in a few days we received 
the Evacuees (money), 30 sous for the grownups, and 20 sous 
for the little ones. Everything sells very high ... I cannot 
tell you how many departments we passed through on our 
way, and afterwards nothing but mountains and woods. At 
some of the stations they gave us things to eat, but at Vierzon 
they threw us a piece of dry bread for our journey. I have 
often given four times as much to my dog for his supper . . . 
What tears we shed . . .1 offer my sufferings to the good God 
that He may spare me to see all my dear children . . . Tell 
Mother Superior and Mrs. Freschard that I think of them. 
We have a large garden where I can distract myself ... I 
have already planted some strawberries . . . 

Madame Bertaux, 
Refugiee at Borne, Haute Loire. 

Borne, 
21 May, iqi8. 
My very dear Daughter: 

I cannot but write though I have received nothing since 
the 24 February. Imagine my child what I shall be like 
when you see me again, my hair is almost entirely white, but 



CONVENT WAR WORK 35 

that is nothing, for I am not bad off with these people, they 
are all from my own street and we are thirteen in all, three 
little families, and we understand each other very well. I teach 
the little ones to pray and teach them the little songs you used 
to sing at school. I knit and sew while the young women go 
out to the woods to gather brushwood for the fire for there is 
no coal. I have already told you we have a nice house and 
garden full of fruit trees and our vegetables are already up in 
the month since we came here. We have beds, a kitchen, the 
Prefect sentus sheets and covers, God protects us. . . .my child, 
for there are no other refugees as well off as we, and everyone 
that comes to see us says so, . . .Monsieur le Cure brought us 
three crucifixes, one for each room, because I told him that I 
brought a little one and it was lost on the way, — for I could 
not carry a thing, it was the others that carried my bundles 
besides their own. We have here a Secretary at the Mayor's, 
a nice young lady, she is very good to me. . .They gave me some 
cakes of chocolate, saying, "It is for you". . . She comes to 
see us and wants me to come to see her sometimes. I am 
going to give you news of my children, Julia and Simone . . 
and they tell me that if I am not content here that I can go 
where they are during the war, but I am all right. We keep 
house as we like. Sailly la Bourse is untenable. My houses 
are full of English. There will be nothing left for my old age. 
I have written lately to the Minister of the Interior to try to 
get news of Maria . . . (her daughter). 

Borne, 
9 October, 1918. 

I am writing to tell you that we have made a demand to 
return to the Haute Loire seeing they are making advances 
everywhere, but if they grant it, in what a state are we going 
to find our houses, no doors, no windows, no furniture, no 
more sleeping in the beds, but anyhow they all want to return 
home if we have the happiness of getting there safe and sound 
and of staying there as best we can, we can get along about as 
well as before. But I can never sew as I did, for the tears 
have dimmed my eyes and my sight is failing. It will come 
back again some day when I have the happiness of seeing my 



ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



children whom I still weep about . . The demand left today for 
the Prefect and he left for Puy an hour after he received it, 
but I think he transmits it to the Prefect du Pas de Calais, 
and if he agrees to let us return will transmit it to the Mayor 
of Borne. I shall be glad to go, but shall keep in remembrance 
the people of Borne. 



Borne, 
16 November, igi8. 

My very dear Child: 

I received your letter today but I was not expecting such 
a surprise. . . Think, my dear daughter, what was my joy 
when I found that the money had been found, for I was saying 
to myself was not the letter sunk with all those ships that 
have rolled so long at the bottom of the sea. I thank the 
Divine Providence for having put it in your possession and 
once more I thank with all my heart your Chaplain and Mrs. 
Sullivan, Mother Superior and Mrs. Freschard, and Mother 
Assistant, who also devoted herself to arranging the corre- 
spondence so that none of it should be lost. And the two 
bills, what a pleasure they have given me. I said to myself 
immediately how I would buy myself some shoes, for, if you 
only knew how I suffer from my feet. My shoes are too small 
and I have a sore foot that makes me suffer much. As Mile. 
Pouille just passed here on her way to St. Paulien, I gave her 
my two bills to have them exchanged; I understand each bill 
is five dollars ... If you only knew how your brother Leon has 
been devoted to me, he who could not decide to write you. 
Since my coming to Borne he writes me every week to console 
me, and then he watches over my house and he is going to 
straighten it up while waiting for me to return and it is not 
easy to get back. You have to submit to what the Prefect 
tells you but Leon has been to the Sub-Prefecture of Bethune 
to get a safe-conduct to help me, and Henri, whom he wants 
me to pick up as I pass through Paris and take to Noisy for a 
few days but I would be quite at sea if I separated myself 
from the others for I dare not travel alone ... Be always my 
interpreter towards my benefactors, for here we have never 



CONVENT WAR WORK 37 

had a single thing paid us, I do not know why, . . one time 
each one got 20 francs. . . . Receive, dear child, the kisses of 



your mother who loves you. 



Madame Bertaux. 



The spirit of gayety in this charming little old lady 
bubbled out into a bit of masquerade after she knew the war 
was over and home was at least somewhere on the horizon of 
the possible. She had her picture taken to surprise Sr. Per- 
petua, and sent it under separate cover to Mother Superior. 
She borrowed a dress from a neighbor in Borne to see if her 
daughter would recognize her. This is her letter to precede 
the picture: 

Borne, 
26 November, iqi8. 
My very dear Daughter; 

As I had the chance that a lady from Borne was going 
to the United States I begged her if she could to go and make 
your acquaintance and to tell you about me. I suspect you 
will not know her, but as she is going there for your mother, 
I think you will receive her well and will show her some kind- 
ness after such a long voyage; she deserves it. I am too old 
to do such a thing, nevertheless I would try to do it if possible. 
Today the boats are a little safer. If I only had news of my 
dear child Maria and her family, if they are living. Your 
brother Henri has written everywhere trying to find them, 
and sent addresses to the Bureau of Refugiees . . . Leon writes 
very often and does everything possible for me to get back, 
but our papers do not get on fast and Henri wants me to stay 
longer and I must go with the rest and that troubles me . . . 
and I thank all my benefactors without forgetting Mme. 
Freschard. Thy mother who loves thee . . . 

Madame Bertaux. 



alumnae betters 

At the Alumnae Officers' Meeting in August, 191 8, it 
was reported that a new Year Book was very much in demand. 
As no one could think much about anything but the War, it 
was decided vaguely to make the Book a War Work number. 
Later, it seemed appropriate to use the Book as a sort of herald 
for the Diamond Jubilee of Brown County Convent, which 
occurs in 1920 and will be celebrated at the Alumnae Meeting 
in June of that year. So, in September the following letter 
was sent out to all members and many other former pupils, 
and since then the Book has gradually shaped itself. 

School of the 

Brown County Ursulines, 

Saint Martin, Ohio 

Jesus' Heart! 

Dear Helen or Kate or Polly or Sophia: 

The Officers of our Alumnae have decided to make the 
coming Year Book a War Work number. If each member 
will write us a little letter, giving some account of what she 
has been doing for the success of the war, the Book can be 
made an attractive and inspiring record for future generations. 
We wish to show our Brown County women second to none 
in patriotism. Please send us a few lines. 
Affectionately, 

Sister Monica, 

Acting Vice-President Alumnae. 

Do you belong to any organization for War Work? Have 
you any special charge? How many under you? Please tell 
of knitting and sewing done. Have you relatives in the Army, 
Navy, or other Government service? Are you interested in 
the fine economy to which our country has risen in this crisis? 
Or in Thrift Stamps or Liberty Bonds? Or in clothes for the 
sufferers? Kindly enclose postage. 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 



Mrs. Katherine Denver Williams, Pres. 
Class of 1880, E. de M. (Enfant de Marie) 

The members of the Alumnae Association may well look 
to their President as having been their champion and leader 
in working for the success of our soldiers in this war; wherever 
the call for help arose, there was Mrs. Katherine Denver 
Williams. Everybody knew it. When asked for her account 
of War Work she seemed to find nothing to say, although she 
had highly commended the idea of asking other people. How- 
ever, the list of positions she occupies at present will give some 
idea of her substantial and far-reaching achievements: 

Chairman, Woman's Liberty Loan for Clinton Co., 0. 

President Red Cross, Clinton Co., 0. 

President, Catholic Auxiliary, St. ColumkilPs Church, 
Wilmington, O. 

Chairman, Civic League, Wilmington, O. 

Chairman, Council of National Defense. 

Vice-Chairman, Welfare Association, Wilmington, O. 

President, Alumnae Association, Ursulines of Brown 
County. 

State Vice-Governor, International Federation Convent 
Alumnae. 

Mrs. Williams was the first President of the Alumnae 
organized in 19 10, and has been re-elected by acclaim. Her 
spirit has carried the organization to success. As some one 
has well said of her, "she is a woman of steadfast practical 
faith, gifted with talents for organization and administration; 
a woman of large heart, most attractive personality, well 
stored mind and noble character, the type of woman who looks 
about her wherever she is and says : 'This is my field of action, 
let us use the tools we find at hand, and use them now.' " 

The sympathies of the Brown County Community and of 
all the Alumnae are with her in her recent sorrow, the loss of 
her young and only daughter, Louise Denver Williams, who 
was graduated at the Convent in June, 1913; — "et rose, elle a 
vecu comme vivent les roses, l'espace d'un matin!" The child 
so full of promise, so ready for life, — ready with all that such a 
mother could give, — such an Alma Mater could give, — died 



40 ALUM NAE YEAR BOOK 

on the night following the anniversary of her being made 
Child of Mary, Dec. 8th, — Our Lady's White day! — she has 
opened to full flower, not in this chill existence, but in the 
warmth of eternal life. 

Second on the roll for War Work, naturally comes the 
Alumnae Treasurer, Mrs. Florence Maginnis Lynn, who has 
lately been photographed with the insignia of office in her 
hands, — a huge pair of shears. In her War Work letter there 
is small evidence of sentiment, or feather pruning, but the cat 
was let out of the bag when her pastor said of her: "I never 
saw such loyalty and affection given a leader as the ladies of 
the parish have given her". 

To appreciate Mrs. Lynn's work rightly, one would have 
to know what it is to work in a Catholic parish that is sur- 
rounded by hostile religious feeling and is in itself largely made 
up of that plain solid brawn of Catholicity, people of modest 
means, whose determined spirit has shown itself in our Amer- 
ican boys of Army and Navy, more than forty per cent of 
whom certainly and more than fifty per cent probably, have 
been Catholics. What Mrs. Lynn did was to band these 
women together in the common cause, enlist the pure gold of 
their patriotism, inspire in them the self-confidence that oft- 
times fails them in face of social distinctions, and set them 
upon their feet in such a way that public opinion was obliged 
to recognize their branch of Red Cross work as not only equal 
to the others, but the very best in the town. They never 
ignored a plea for help and they never had an article sent 
back. 

Moreover, the most of them gave from slender purses 
already depleted by a hundred outside demands besides those 
of the mere business of living. To reassure such people of their 
own true worth and co-operative resource, and to set them in 
their proper light before the public, is in itself, a patriotic 
work worthy of a Convent graduate. 

Mrs. Lynn did still more for the children. She demanded 
and got for the two parish schools which were about to be 
ignored, a place of honor in the Red Cross civic parade. At 
two days' notice she secured for them the necessary drilling 
which the Public Schools had been undergoing for more than 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 41 

a week, she provided for them the headdresses, flags and insig- 
nia, and placed them in the ranks with such spirit and effect 
that the out-of-town judges on the reviewing stand pronounced 
the Catholic children of the Parish Schools the best unit in the 
parade. 

Her letter runs thus : 



Zanesville, Ohio, 
October, igi8. 
Dear Sister: 

We organized the middle of July, 191 7, under title of 
Catholic Woman's War Relief Ass'n. We were the first Church 
Unit in the county of the Red Cross, and during the year end- 
ing July, 191 8, we made 396 sewed garments and 22 knitted 
garments ... In the parade preceding the Red Cross Drive we 
had one of the largest and best drilled sections, and were fol- 
lowed by our High School and 8th Grade girls, representing a 
service flag. . . .We donated $25 in cash. When the call for hos- 
pital bed linen came, we furnished $36 worth, made and ready 
for use. When the call for property bags was made, we sent 
4 dozen, said to be the prettiest and best made lot that came 
in. We have just given, unsolicited, $25 to the United War 
Work Campaign. When we organized we affiliated with the 
Columbus C. W. W. R. A. — were indeed their first Unit, and 
their only out-of-town unit. They sent us some work and we 
made for them 96 pieces of children's clothing. Having 
adopted French Relief work as our specialty, we bought mate- 
rial, cut — (she herself cut them all) — and made 641 garments, 
ranging from 4 years to 12, sent through Columbus to the 
Comite Francais-Americain, 680 Fifth Ave., New York. To 
the Chaplains' Aid Society of New York we sent 133 knitted 
garments made from our own yarn. Our total of all articles 
made during the year was 1681. September 1st the Comite in 
New York sent us 236 cut garments and they are now made 
and ready to be returned. We expect to continue the work 
during the winter. We are now sewing three days each week, 
from 1:00 P. M. until 4:30. One lady takes charge of the 
Wednesdays, another of the Thursdays, another of Fridays, 



42 ALUMNAE YE AR BOOK 

and they are changed every month. We meet the first Sun- 
day evening of the month to hear reports and to pay dues — 
ten cents (!) 

With ever so much love to all the nuns, 
Affectionately, 
Florence Maginnis Lynn, E. de M. 



Mrs. Mary Porteous Snead-Cox, E. de M., '89, of Brox- 
wood Court, Herefordshire, England, 

Gave three gold stars to the cause, 

in her three young sons who fell fighting with the British 
forces. 

Richard, aged 21, Lieutenant Scotch Highlanders, Battle 
of Flanders, October, 1914. 

Geoffrey, aged 19, Lieutenant, Royal Guard, eight days 
later. 

Herbert, aged 16, Midshipman on Battleship Indefatig- 
able, went down in the Jutland fight, February, 1915. 

The heart of Alma Mater throbs with this bereaved daughter 
in her grief and triumph. 



The name Rosecrans is an old household word in Brown 
County. It was the General's brother, Bishop Rosecrans, 
first Bishop of Columbus, who wrote the famous verses about 
Solomon's Run one Spring morning, when the rains had swol- 
len the streams: 

Soloman's Run is roaring high, 

The Run that used to run so dry, 
You ne'er would have thought it more than I 

That Solomon's Run could run so high. 

General Rosecrans' three daughters were Brown County 
girls: Mary, on the Child of Mary list for 1867, became Sister 
St. Charles, and now sleeps among the sanctities, as one of 
them, in the Convent graveyard. Annie is Enfant de Marie in 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 43 

1876, and she afterwards went on the Santa Rosa mission as 
Sister Kostka: the letter below is from Mrs. Lillie Rosecrans 
Toole, wife of the well-known Ex-Governor of Montana. Her 
brother, Mr. Frederic Rosecrans, the youngest son, lives in 
California in a lovely ranch-home that would remind one of 
Helen Hunt Jackson and Ramona, and in which the General 
spent his declining years. 

Among the relics of former times of Brown County there 
still exists a bright little play in manuscript, in the handwriting 
of Gen. Rosecrans' son, Father Louis Rosecrans, who used to 
be a popular guest there. He was a Paulist, ordained in class 
with the revered Father Elliot, now Superior of the Paulists in 
Washington, D. C. 

Mrs. Toole's sons, true to their ancestry, are among the 
heroes of the present war, as their mother's interesting letter 
sets forth. 

Helena, Montana, 
December 75, igi8. 
Dear Sister: 

Your letter after it had been forwarded from several 
places reached me here. ... I would be glad if I could furnish 
anything that would be of service in ( the forthcoming Year 
Book. I was elected Chairman of the Helena Red Cross Chap- 
ter, Lewis and Clarke Co., while I was in California the Spring 
of 1917 and when I arrived home weeks later everything was 
organized and work already in progress. As I had to go away 
again in a few months, I resigned, so I cannot claim for Brown 
County or myself the credit for the great amount of work 
done by our women.. . . Later, our chapter supplied a monthly 
quota of garments, surgical dressings, knitted articles and 
socks, equal to what was sent in by cities two or three times 
the size of Helena. I should like to claim the credit of this, 
but cannot. I feel I have done something, however, in giving 
two sons to the army. Both are lieutenants. One has been 
overseas since July and the other was to have sailed, but for 
the Armistice, early in November. My son, 1st Lieut. Joseph 
P. Toole, was in the big battle which began September 26th, 
and he was severely wounded on the 28th. His superior officer 
having been either killed or wounded, he had at one time to 



44 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

take command and his escape from death was wonderful, due 
no doubt to prayer. Once he was knocked unconscious by the 
terrific concussion from the German machine gun fire, and 
when he came to, he found himself buried under a pile of dead. 
He was also between cross-fire between Germans and Ameri- 
cans so he crawled into a shell hole and early in the morning 
found his way back to the American lines. The following day 
he was wounded about two o'clock in the afternoon and he 
lay on the battlefield in water, with the rain beating down 
upon him, till the next day, when he was picked up by Red 
Cross workers, who he says, follow the soldiers right to the 
front, and do for them at the risk of their lives. My son 
recovered entirely and returned to the front. He is with the 
91st Division, which if newspapers are to be relied upon, was 
with the King and Queen of Belgium when they made their 
triumphant entry, recently, into Brussels. 

Affectionately, 

Lilly Rosecrans Toole, E. de M. 

Class of 1872. 

Los Angeles, 
October 16, iqi8. 
To the Alumnae of the Ursulines 
of Brown County: 

Dear Friends: 

On account of our location on this Western Coast we 
have many departments of Red Cross Work which have grad- 
ually developed. Being on the original Executive Committee 
I realized the necessity of branches of the work. One of which 
suggested has been most successful of its kind: the Brownson 
Settlement Weekly Sale to the foreign poor population. At 
the General Headquarters I assist at a Sale of a varied collec- 
tion of articles contributed by the public. The work, however, 
which interests me most is the "Enlisted Men's Canteen", 
where we daily serve an excellent home cooked luncheon and 
dinner, also providing all the comforts and amusements needed 
for a lonely soldier or sailor, who are most appreciative of our 
efforts. They come from Fort McArthur, Naval Base at San 
Pedro, Balloon Headquarters at Arcadia, and the Aviation 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 45 

Field at Riverside, not forgetting the large Cantonment at 
Camp Kearney. 

The women to be eligible for Service must be past thirty 
and not too good looking, even in the prescribed uniform of a 
blue and white dress and cap. These requirements make me 
quite a useful member. We often serve a thousand men at 
one dinner. I regret that the knitting and purling cannot be 
recorded to my credit. This is offset by my interest in the 
Salvage Department, which originated in Los Angeles, also 
in my feeble effort to go over the Top in the Liberty Bond 
Sale. 

It takes courage and loyalty to the Alumnae to forward 
this simple account of my insignificant part in the magnificent 
patriotic work being done by the Women of America. Trusting 
I may have the gratification of reading what will be compiled, 
indicating the big things accomplished by many members of 
Brown County Alumnae. 

Always an interested member, 

Marie Rose Mullen, E. de M., 

State Vice-President for California. 



Who shall find a valiant woman? . . . The heart of her 
husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils . . . 
She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers 
have taken hold of the spindle. She hath opened her hand 
to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor . . . 

Strength and beauty are her clothing; and she shall 
laugh in the latter day. 

She hath looked well to the paths of her house. . . Her 
children rose up, and called her blessed; her husband, and 
he praised her. 

And let her works praise her in the gates. 

—Proverbs, XXXI, 10-31. 



Cincinnati, Ohio, 
October 13th. 
Dear Sister: 

It pleased me to hear from you and especially to be asked 
to give my experiences of War activities. In April of this year, 



46 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

I was appointed by our pastor, Rev. Father P. J. Hynes, to 

reorganize the Red Cross Unit of St. Mary's Church, Hyde 
Park — an unexpected honor, which I felt it my duty to accept. 
I was fortunate in selection of my assistants and the attend- 
ance was encouraging, averaging seventy-five. All day meet- 
ings were held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with 
attendance averaging thirty to forty. We made gauze com- 
presses, bandages, hospital and refugee garments. Our meet- 
ing room was the basement of our church and a most delightful 
workshop. Sewing machines were donated by various indi- 
viduals and we were the proud possessors of eight, all run by 
electric motors. A fund was created by securing the use of a 
Motion Picture Theatre, and this $100 or more was added 
to from time to time by donations from individuals and thus 
we provided thread and materials for our Unit. In a period of 
six months we produced 105 pajamas, 95 hospital shirts, 235 
slings, 400 T-bandages, 1858 gauge compresses, 949 gauze 
strips, 130 sponges, 96 pneumonia jackets, 65 pads, and many 
refugee garments. The Congregation, through the Unit, con- 
tributed a hundred or more bundles of clothing for the Bel- 
gians. All members work most enthusiastically. They make 
an attractive appearance in their uniform, among them being 
the red veil of the Instructors, the light blue of the Vice-Chair- 
man, and the dark blue of the Chairman. I have two nephews 
in France since December, 1917, and Mr. Hummel has a 
cousin there since July. 

With love and good wishes to all, I am, 
Affectionately, 

Julia Davis Hummel, E. de M. 

Glendale, Cincinnati, Ohio, 
October 23, iqi8. 
Dear Sister: 

Of course Glendale has a Red Cross Unit and we meet at 
the Lyceum every day except Saturday and Sunday. Grace 
and I try to attend at least two half days in the week. I 
believe Glendale has an unusual record for compresses sent 
to headquarters. We are knitting at home. I am on my 
tenth sweater, besides scarfs and wristlets. Grace is knitting 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 47 

socks. Grace belongs to the Canteen. Last winter they sent 
over forty boxes of good things they had made themselves for 
the boys, fruit cake, candy, preserves. This summer they 
made fruit butters to be used in the penny lunch rooms in 
the very poor school districts of Cincinnati, for the soldiers 
there. 

Yours affectionately, 

Agnes McCune. 

Cincinnati, Ohio, 
October igth. 
Dear Sister: 

First and foremost I have given my oldest son to the ser- 
vice, enlisted in Battery F, 136th Field Artillery under com- 
mand of Col. Lincoln Mitchell. My second son is entering 
the Aviation Corps today. I have been working on surgical 
dressings and hospital garments, also knitting for the Church 
of the Assumption Unit. I wish I had something more to give 
you for your next Book, but I appreciate more than I can 
make you feel, the privilege of being entered in it, as one of 
the dear old Brown County girls. 

Yours sincerely, 

Mary Murphy Burns. 

Wilmington, Ohio, 
October jj, iqi8. 
Dear Sister: 

I have really done so little that I have little to say. Some 
Red Cross Work; — I cut gauze and won the title of the Snippy 
Miss Smith; a little Council of National Defense work, food 
conservation, which meant going around asking people to 
sign cards, and persuading some of them that their canned 
stuff would be left on their shelves; selling Liberty Bonds, and 
trying to make speeches. I am not in the least successful at 
the latter, but I enclose an acrostic which was printed in the 
Clinton County Democrat of September 26th. If you care to 
use that, do so. If not — at any rate please show it to Sister 
Gabriel. 



48 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

I wish I had something brilliant to say for the little book 
which I always so enjoy having, but I am sure there will be 
no lack of material. And please God, we will have a new 
world and permanent peace and a lovely meeting in 1920. 
With love to you all, 

Sincerely, 

Ellen Halsey Smith. 

Miss Ellen Halsey Smith, a member of the local Woman's 
Liberty Loan Committee, has written the following acrostic, 
which was so favorably received at a meeting of women loan 
workers Saturday night that a request was made for it to be 
forwarded to State headquarters. 

Far away across the sea 
Our brothers fight for you and me, 
Uncle Sam wants us to fight, 
Right valiantly, with all our might, 
To save the sugar, save the wheat; 
Hungry folk in cold and sleet. 

Look to us for bread and meat. 
In this battle for the right, 
Bread must help to win the fight. 
Ere we can hope to lick the Hun 
Royal saving must be done. 
To win the war the seas beyond 
You must buy a Liberty Bond. 

Look on Belgium, Poland, France, 
On Britain, with her lifted lance; 
America is in the fray, 
Now help to win the war today. 

Union Jack and fleur-de-lis, 
Stars and Stripes and Italy — 
All save the world for democracy. 



Anyone who read in the First Year Book Henrietta 
McPhillips' naive account of her mother's wedding in Brown 
County, under the demure eyes of dear Notre Mere, could not 
easily forget it. Her mother, Rosa Woodworth McPhillips, 



ALUMN AE LETTERS 49 

was a ward of Notre Mere's and she and her sister, Mrs. Hen- 
nie Woodworth Manning, who died in New York a few years 
ago, were protqgees of the early nuns, and much-talked-about 
personages. So, when the second generation of Rosas and 
Hennies appeared there was an expectancy as of fluttering 
wings. Rosa and Alice and Hennie proved to be very human, 
and very lovable, be it added, and their letters in the War 
Work vein show what wives and mothers they have turned 
out to be. 

Mobile, Ala. 
Dear Sister: 

I am not much when it comes to letter writing, but I 
hate to put aside your request and not let you hear from me 
at all, so I will try to tell you how busy I am trying to do my 
little bit. Just two weeks ago I joined the "Home Emergency 
First Aid" class at the Providence Infirmary. Sister Rose (a 
Sister of Charity) is at the head of it. There are thirty married 
ladies in the class. We go three afternoons a week from four 
to six and the best doctors in town lecture. Already we have 
heard about bandaging, how to treat hemorrhages, abdominal 
pains, causes, symptoms, etc., of malaria and typhoid fevers. 

Then we are taught the practical things of nursing, such 
as bed making, to take temperature, also the pulse, to give 
hypodermics, etc. We study from a little book on Hygiene 
and after twelve weeks will take an examination. We will 
then be ready to lend a helping hand at home when we are 
needed, and Sister assures us that every lady capable to do 
so will be called upon to relieve the shortage of nurses. The 
course is interesting and it will be valuable all through life to 
know what to and how to care for the sick. 

Thursday is my Red Cross day. I work with St. Mary's 
Unit (this is my parish church, and by the way it is Father 
Ryan's little church, the poet whose poems you have often 
read). It would be impossible to give you a list of my work, 
as it varies so much. My knitting bag is always on my arm. 

Clarence registered in this last draft on September 12th. 
He is thirty-nine years so has not received his questionnaire 
yet, as the first call is from eighteen to thirty-seven. How- 
ever, I expect to see him in uniform before another year, and 



50 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

if he is taken I will at once take up some war work and devote 
my entire time and attention to it. I have not only assisted 
in the sale of Thrift Stamps but save the pennies and buy 
weekly. We have subscribed to all the Liberty Bonds and are 
now ready to go the limit on the Fourth; the drive is going on 
now and Mobile's enthusiasm is great. I am sure we will go 
over the top for the fourth time. 

Rosa McPhillips Rydenhour, E. de M. 

State Vice-President for Alabama. 



Dear Sister: 



Mobile, Alabama, 
September jo, igi8. 



How much we will enjoy reading "Our Book". . . On 
account of my little ones, I have taken only a minor part in 
the wonderful War Work. Of course I am a member of the 
Red Cross. Our Cathedral Parish formed an Auxiliary early 
in the Fall and most of my work I did with them. Wednesday 
I devoted to making bandages, and hospital garments. Fre- 
quently I inspected and turned in the work for our Unit. We 
also made Refugee Garments and I helped inspect and pack 
some of the boxes. In the "Drive" I have always gone on the 
house-to-house canvass... My husband is County Chairman of 
the Fourth Liberty Loan Drive, which means that he is con- 
stantly at work on some detail to bring Mobile "Over the 
Top" as in the Third Drive. My children are very much 
interested in Thrift Stamps. They have saved their pennies 
and now have a number of War Stamps soon to grow into 
the Baby Bond. I have made every effort to conserve food 
and to impress on my little household the necessity of it all. 
As to gasoline, we do not use our car for any long pleasure 
trips. Oh yes, I must not neglect to tell you of the Home 
Emergency First Aid Class, under the Sisters of Charity — 
instructions twice a week — are subject to local calls — and at 
the end of the course we expect to be real nurses. I trust the 
coming year will be a splendid year for dear old Brown County. 
Somehow or other it just makes the blood in my veins tingle 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 51 

when I talk of the place. Give my love to the nuns. Asking 
you to remember me in your prayers, and with much love, 
Sincerely, 
Alice McPhillips Tonsmeire, E. de M. 

From the Mobile Morning Paper, Mobile, Alabama: 

Three hundred women motor drivers for service in France 
are needed by the American Red Cross within the next six 
months. That Mobile women can perform any service in 
war times to help their country, is shown in the announcement 
that three will go from this city the first of next week, to take 
the course at Tulane University, New Orleans, for overseas 
motor service. Among these is Mrs. Henrietta McPhillips 
Feagin, wife of the late Dr. E. S. Feagin, one of Mobile's most 
prominent of the younger physicians, who, had he lived, would 
have been doing his duty for his country on the firing line. 

Red Cross Motor Corps, 
New Orleans, La. 
Dear sister Monica: 

Several weeks ago a call was sent out for volunteers for 
overseas motor duty which call I answered, and in less than a 
week found myself over here. Our training school has created 
national interest because of its being the only one of its kind 
in the U. S. There are twelve students, all of us having had 
former experience as auto drivers. Our instructors are gov- 
ernment paid men in charge of Camp Martin. We work there, 
and are domiciled in Sophie Newcomb College and our work 
uniforms are overalls! Just now we have five autos in our 
shop and are kept very busy tearing down and repairing. 
Our hours are from 5 130 A. M. until 9:00 P. M. and our work 
includes motor mechanics, five hours a day military drill, 
First Aid, Stretcher Drill, French and a very small amount of 
recreation; but the work is so absorbingly interesting that 
none of us mind it one bit. 

We expect to be sent to France before Christmas at the 
latest and our work will be mostly Ambulance driving. I 
wish you could see our Barracks. We are in a large basement 



52 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

room, with cots, a table and chairs our only convenience, but 
we don't mind it one bit. We want to learn to endure hard- 
ship so that we will be worth something to our government 
when we begin our real work. The routine work is making 
me "fat" and when Rosa and Alice see me again they won't 
know me. I have gained six pounds in two weeks. 

The idea of the book is lovely and I hope you will see 
that mine is sent "across" to me. I am hoping that when my 
orders come I will be able to go to New York via Brown 
County. Will you be too busy for a little talk with me, if I 
come? I want to tell you a little of what this new work means 
to me and what it is doing for me. My boy, Marion, is in 
Long Island now, waiting his orders to sail. 

Henrietta McPhillips Feagin, E. de M., 1906. 

P. S. I am being sent with the Gulf Division Unit, American 
Red Cross Ambulance Corps. 



Lexington, Ky., 
October 27, 1918. 
Dear Sister: 

I was afraid I would not be able to answer your kind 
letter, as I had the misfortune of breaking my thumb a few 
days after receiving your letter. I suffered terribly with the 
break, in fact, so much so, that it must have been the "thumb 
I kept my husband under". 

Now for War Work! I am afraid I have not done much 
for the War. I am a member of the Red Cross, have knitted 
several sweaters, did not undertake socks, as I remembered 
my failure at school, I would do hard knitting for a week, and 
dear Sister Liguori would come and pull it all out in a second 
so the socks never grew to real socks the whole ten months. 

I took a real active part in the nurses' drive, which was a 
success here in our town. My brother has two sons in this 
war, John W. Davis, 21 years, in the Coast Artillery; Rogers 
Gorin Davis, 19 years, Field Artillery. Mr. Pritchett and I 
have given to each Liberty Loan, and both have bought the 
limit of War Savings Stamps. As for the economy in food, I 
have eaten so much corn bread since Mr. Hoover has taken 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 53 

the situation in hand, we are proud to be called "Corn 
Crackers". 

Sister dear, I never was gifted while at school in either 
composition or letter writing, so please accept these plain 
statements. With much love to all the dear Sisters, believe 
me, always interested in our dear old Brown County Home. 

Bonnie Davis Pritchett. 

St. Martin, Ohio, 
Brown County, 
September 20. 
Dear Sister: 

I am making an attempt to write you a few lines, I only 
ask of you to do with it as you see fit. 

In July, 1917, we organized, forming the Perry Township 
Branch of the Georgetown Chapter American Red Cross. 
During our weekly meetings at the Ursuline Convent, direc- 
tions were given, work was cut out and prepared, so that we 
were able to make use of all our spare moments at home. 
Although our numbers are few compared with organizations 
in larger places, we have sent to headquarters quite a large 
number of fracture-pillows, shoulder-wraps, bed-coats, hospital 
shirts, sweaters, socks and the like. I had the pleasure of making 
my home a center for the collection of clothes for the Belgian 
and French children and felt real satisfaction in being able to 
drive our machine to Georgetown several times, loaded to its 
full capacity with warm and comfortable clothing. I have 
sold a number of W. S. S., collected several hundred dollars 
for the Red Cross and taken an active part in several benefits. 
As this work represents the only opportunities offered us in 
our little town of doing our share, we have the satisfaction of 
knowing that we can not be classed as "slackers", and that if 
we could, we would have done more. 
Affectionately, 

May Scanlon, 

Secretary Perry Branch Red Cross. 

When May, who is not only a fine War Worker but a fine 
Parish Worker too, wrote this letter, she knew little of the 
greater War Work that the Father in Heaven held in store 



54 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

for her, the loss of her strong, brave brother, Eugene Scanlon. 
"Killed in action, date indefinite" is the tragic wording of the 
message. Lieutenant Scanlon was a promising young lawyer, 
in the firm of Mallon and Vordenberg, of Cincinnati, and was 
a member of the Irish Fellowship Club. The fiber of his char- 
acter as soldier and man is shown in a letter written shortly 
before his death, and which his sister may well be proud of: 
"Our Chaplain is a young priest, Father Hoffman, who has 
two brothers in the army. He has been working day and 
night for the past two weeks, or ever since this drive began. 
For my part I am very glad he is with us, as he heard my Con- 
fession out in 'No Man's Land'. Our Battalion was advanc- 
ing to help out, and had to go over the ground of the others. 
The Chaplain was burying the dead soldiers out there, in the 
most God-forsaken land in the world. He stopped his work 
long enough to hear my Confession, and I marched on. In 
ten minutes shells were falling right near where I had been and 
in less than one hour two of our Officers were wounded and 
five men killed. So it was fortunate for me to be prepared. — 
Don't tell Mother about this as it will only worry her. — For 
all in all it's a great show, and 'veery' exciting, as the French- 
man says; and I wouldn't miss it for the world." 



BLESSING FOR A HOME 

It is a beautiful Catholic Custom to have the Home 
blessed in Paschal season, Easter to Trinity Sunday. 

Hear us, Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God: 
and just as in the flight from Egypt thou didst spare from 
the death angel the homes of the Hebrews that were marked 
with the blood of the lamb, which prefigured our Pasch in 
which Christ is immolated, so deign to send thy holy angel 
from Heaven, to guard, cherish, protect, visit, and defend 
all who dwell in this Home. Through Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

— Priests' Book of Ritual. 



In the death of Mrs. Josephine Hoskins Christy, Honorary 
President of the Brown County Alumnae, which event oc- 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 55 

curred last March the first, the Convent laments the loss of 
one of its oldest and most devoted daughters. Mrs. Christy 
has written in the First Year Book an account of the first 
burial in Brown County cemetery on a snowy winter day 
long ago. She was at school in the first years, and her sister, 
Ada, who died early, was made Child of Mary, June 21, 1851. 
Several letters of recent date show her fine spirit and tender 
interest in her old school, and the persons she remembers are 
household pillars, dear to all who know anything of the past 
history of the Convent: 

New Orleans. 
Dear Mother Gabriel: 

I have received the Alumnae Year Book within the week 
and am well pleased with it — Ma Mere St. Pierre's Journal is 
to me the feature of the Year Book — the recital tallies so 
perfectly with my early memories of her and the dear Com- 
munity of brave women; then you must know that I recall 
the Purcells, such quaint old women — and Mrs. Corr, Mrs. 
Snowden and Mary Frances (God-daughter of my mother); 
the latter lived in New Orleans and we were friends under 
many adverse circumstances during the Civil War, and indeed 
until the tragedies of their deaths — oh, so pitiful a chapter! — 
God give them rest! Ma Mere St. Pierre deserves a little 
sketch, have any of you Sisters made one? I feel inclined to 
write a short memoir, for perhaps I could tell of her mission 
to Opelousas, the failure, the sacrifices — of which your Com- 
munity knows but little. . . Your generous suggestion that I 
overlook the annual Dues, but as long as I can send the small 
amount, you must accept it, for it gives me much pleasure to 
keep in touch with the early Convent home. . . During your 
"Retreat" I beg special prayers for spiritual blessings for my 
sons. 

Dear Mother Gabriel: 

Many thanks for the "Life Book" which is very beautiful 
and artistic in every phase of illustration, description, and 
quotation. But I am lost in the mazes of improvements, and 
feel sure I should only feel at home in the attic along with the 



56 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

well remembered ponderous frames and waxen flowers. Brown 
County must have progressed in many ways, but I insist that 
in her earliest life she was the equal if not the very best of 
Convent schools and I for one owe a debt of gratitude to the 
heroic band of nuns who established an institution unlike any 
in the Western country. . . Pray for me. 

Dear Mother Gabriel: 

. . . One of my attacks last week discouraged me, as I was 
ill for several days, but I am now improving .. . letter writing 
was delayed. I do wish I could have been present at the 
Reunion, to greet both the "old girls" and the young aspirants 
to fame. Some of the names are in memory, but after the 
long years of complete separation some are elusive, and most 
of the marriage names are quite strange. I remember Kate 
Magevney as a classmate, also Hattie Basham and Florence 
Syms of Louisville, and Sallie Phillips — dear Juliette Rogers 
Wright, a connection by marriage, has passed to her reward. 
Looking backward appears a dream. . . As to the memoir of 
Ma Mere St. Pierre which you wish, I can only say that I 
hope to write it, for I know so well many things that should 
make her honored for all time in the Community she so nobly 
served — writing much at a time is painful, but I am hoping 
to execute my heart's desire. My love to all of the dear new 
Sisters, and thank you for your very dear letter. 
Faithfully, 

Josephine Hoskins Christy. 

Columbus, Ohio, 
October 20, IQ18. 
Dear Sister: 

The other day a friend said to me, on viewing the stack 
of unanswered letters on my desk: "Do you know your friends 
won't love you if you don't write to them." The remark made 
little impression upon me at the time, but later it kept dinning 
in my ears so persistently that I finally imagined it prophetic 
and soon found myself visualizing life without friends. The 
picture was so disquieting that I hasten to write before such a 



ALUMN AE LETTERS 57 

fate overtakes me. But please don't think that my tardiness 
means that I have fallen into careless ways. It is just that 
all days are red inked days for me now. 



What a happy thought to make the 191 8 Year Book a 
War Work Number, and if you think my activities will add 
something of interest or credit to it, I will be pleased to state 
them for the pride of old Alma Mater. Before our Country 
went into this war, a little group of us Catholic Women, antici- 
pating the need of preparedness, took up the study of First Aid 
and Home Nursing: Later when the U. S. determined to 
share with our allies this conflict for democracy, our class 
became the nucleus about which we built the Catholic Wom- 
an's War Relief Association, now recognized and financed by 
the Columbus War Chest and grown to a membership of 
fifteen hundred, with activities in almost every branch of War 
Work. As one of the Vice-Presidents and members of the 
Executive and Advisory Board of this organization, much of 
my time is necessarily spent at these headquarters. The 
department of which I am chairman and instructor, and 
naturally the most interested in, is the Surgical Dressings 
Department, the members of which have, since July, 19 18, 
worked without cessation or vacation and shipped thousands 
of hospital supplies overseas. One day of the week I give to 
the American Red Cross in directing a class in this same work 
at their headquarters. Just now there is a cessation of Junior 
Red Cross War Work in the schools, but soon, the "Flu" 
willing, I will again take up my duties as captain in Holy 
Name Parochial School, where it is truly inspiring to note 
how willingly and generously the children give up their play- 
time to help Uncle Sam. 

Whenever I can manage to stretch the day I give the time 
to a group of about a hundred and fifteen girls, for which I 
act as counsellor in the "Patriotic League", an organization 
which no doubt has come under your notice. It was brought 
into existence by the need and spirit of the times and has 
made for itself quite a reputation with its slogan — "Do better 
than ever before what you are doing now". Our Columbus 



58 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

branch of this league has an enrollment of thirteen thousand 
members, and is considered in every way the model for the 
country. 

My services have at all times been fully given in the Food 
Conservation Campaign, also my active support in the Sales 
end of the Liberty Loan drives to go "over the top". 

With practically all of my time devoted to the cause, I 
find it hard to keep pace with my patriotic husband, who at 
the very outset of our country's entrance into the war, gave 
up his business to take up the work of the Draft Board, that 
of selecting soldiers for our army. If we grow a bit weary at 
times, of the exacting duties we have undertaken or yield for 
a moment to the temptation to long for the ease and plenty 
of the good old peaceful days, we have but to close our eyes 
and see the thousands of wounded boys lying in misery on the 
battlefield and our sacrifices seem poor and small in com- 
parison. Just now our daily press is giving us such hopeful 
news, hinting at an early peace. How comforting it would be, 
if we could believe that we are really writing the last chapter 
of this war. 

Affectionately, 
Anna Steindam Gerlach, E. de M. 

Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Dear Alumnae: 

There isn't anything exciting or romantic about getting 
up at five A. M., going out while the street lamps are still lit 
and taking the trolley at six, the only girl in a car full of work- 
ing men, in order to reach the station in time to have breakfast 
ready at the Canteen at seven! This is the beginning of a day 
of Canteen work, it is most interesting and one's feelings are 
forgotten as the soldier appears for his hot coffee, in one's 
desire to serve our Country and her fighting men. We are 
there from seven in the morning until eleven at night, working 
in shifts, and all summer we served free of cost to thousands 
of soldiers, hot coffee, iced tea, milk, ham sandwiches, fruit, 
cakes, ice cream cones, cigarettes and postal cards. In the 
colder weather we have coffee, milk, hot frankfurter sand- 
wiches, ham sandwiches, fruit, cakes and cigarettes. The 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 59 

men from overseas are crazy about the ice cream as it is not 
so plentiful in France and Italy. 

In an evening we will feed and talk with soldier, sailor, 
marine, chaplain, submarine chaser, medical, artillery, aviator, 
balloon corps, all moving on. Many are returning from over- 
seas, wounded, gassed, ill, each with something interesting to 
tell. One tells proudly of his young wife just twenty-four 
years old with four-year-old child, who ran their ranch while 
he took his part in the greater struggle, and how he looked at 
the women of France and felt that she was equal to any of 
them! That same night we had an Indian, Infantry, a splendid 
looking fellow like a bronze statue with the Croix de Guerre 
and palm for distinguished service. He stood silent and aloof, 
finally we got him to tell "he had captured four German 
officers and eight men"! We meet all soldiers at the Grand 
Central and Pennsylvania Depots, also meet troop trains out 
in the railroad yards and sick or convalescent soldiers are 
specially cared for. 

Dear Alumnae, hasn't it been a rich and wonderful year 
for us all? The days are all too short for our knitting, surgical 
dressing work, soliciting funds for Red Cross fetes, Belgian 
babies, Liberty Bonds, sewing garments and packing boxes 
for devastated sections of France, all of which, in a small way, 
I have been privileged to do. 

I hope some day we can all meet again in peaceful, happier 
times and exchange our thrilling experiences with each other. 
Sincerely, 

Margaret E. Lyman, '06, E. de M. 
Oct. 20, 1918. 

St. Louis, Mo., 
October 17. 
Dear Sister: 

Your little note arrived last week and though your per- 
sonal words were few they brought with them much joy. . . . 
My brother George is grinding flour for Uncle Sam. He is 
one of the most patriotic men I know of. Every few weeks 
he gets excited and thinks himself a slacker, then he goes down 
to enlist, but every time they refuse him on account of his 



60 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

industry. They claim he is doing his "bit" by grinding flour 
daily, and assisting the government in all its campaigns here 
at home. So poor George is doomed to serve his country at 
home. As for the Red Cross, mother and I belong to the 
Catholic Woman's League. We give one day a week to sew- 
ing and many hours at home to knitting. It certainly does 
count up, and every article helps. Mother knits socks and I 
knit sweaters. So Harriet is married and has a little girl! . . . 
Oh, yes, I am married. . . I married good, patient, kind George 
Renner to whom I said goodbye when I went to Brown County 
to school, and who was glad when I was graduated and came 
back home. Last September he answered the call to the colors 
and went in training at Louisville in Camp Taylor, and in 
May he came home on a furlough and we were married at 
St. Pius' Church the fourth of that month. I spent the rest of 
the summer with him, and in August he departed for France. 
Today I received my first letter from him. He speaks of others 
he had written but I have not received them. This came in 
answer to my Thirty Days' Prayer. He is Somewhere in France. 
That is very definite, isn't it? I have no fear of his not coming 
back. When he sailed we both placed him under the protec- 
tion of Mary, Star of the Sea. Now that he is over there, he 
will be guarded and led by Our Lady of Victory, and will 
finally come home thanking Mary, Queen of Peace. But if 
it should be his fate not to return, and the good God, in His 
inscrutable wisdom, wishes me not to win, then I hope and 
pray that He will make me a good loser. Dear Sister, I could 
write oh so much more. He is serving in the Medical branch 
of the army. Write to me real soon if you have time. Remem- 
ber me to dear Sister Josephine and let this be a letter to her 
too. Love to all from mother and myself. 
Devotedly, 
Lena Reichert Renner, E. de M., '12. 

Sitting Room, Cincinnati, Ohio, 

October 13. 
Dear bister: 

You ask if I have any interest in the success of the war. 
I have five sons. My youngest is over there, Somewhere in 
France, has been since last May. Another is in Camp Mills, 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 61 

waiting to go over. One being married, is doing special govern- 
ment work here. Another is in the Officer's Training School 
at St. Xavier's, and my oldest son, Dr. Charles E. Murray, 
although married, has volunteered for army service. My 
daughters are all interested in Red Cross work, while I am 
knitting every spare moment, hoping that some poor soldier 
boy may be a little bit warmer for my work. Don't you think 
I have very great reason to be interested in the success of the 
present war? 

Always yours, 

Mary Jane Henry Murray, enrolled 1863. 

Mrs. Murray, another old and revered pupil, is connected 
with some of the very earliest names enrolled at Brown County; 
with three cousins, Margo Duer, now Mrs. Henry of Cincin- 
nati, whose name is with the first band of Children of Mary, 
that of 1848, Mary Jane Foster, of whom Mother Ursula and 
Mother Xavier used to talk so much, and Jennie Springer, 
niece of Mr. Reuben Springer who endowed Music Hall in 
Cincinnati. The fine old silver service used for the entertain- 
ment of guests these many years at the Convent, and the 
oldest of the china, were among the many gifts that these 
devoted pupils left to their memory. And the little " Cottage " 
where the younger Alumnae at reunions nowadays spend 
merry hours, was built by Jennie Springer for guest use and 
for her own convenience, when she wished to stay at Brown 
County during the summer, — the wish and the dream of 
many another Brown County girl since her time. 

Chicago, III. 
My Dear Sister: 

Only a sense of duty and courtesy could induce me to 
comply with your recent request for a contribution towards 
the War Work number of the Year Book, shortly to be printed 
and distributed; because I realize that my "Bit", being so 
insignificant, can add nothing to the glorious record made by 
others. Anxious to do something, though it could be but little, 
I converted what remained of my bank account, four dollars 
and a fraction, into War Savings Stamps. Conservation of 



ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



food and abolition of everything non-essential are strictly 
observed in our home; and all news papers, waste papers, 
magazines, rags and completely worn-out garments are 
jealously guarded, packed into bundles and saved for the 
Junk Man, from whom we receive Red Cross Coupons (Sal- 
vage) in lieu of money. . . . Four cousins are in France, giving 
their services for the freedom of the world: one, a hospital 
nurse, has been decorated with the Croix de Guerre; one acts 
as an interpreter; another is in the artillery, and his brother 
is in the Radio Service. The care of our apartment, and the 
doing of all our own work prevents outside activities, but I 
feel sure that patriotism burns with no feebler glow in our 
hearts because of this. My sister Josephine joins me in love 
to all the nuns. 

Most affectionately, 

Margaret Jones, E. de M. 

Enrolled 1871. 

The sister referred to in Miss Margaret's letter, as 
Josephine Jones of the Brown County Alumnae, is the brilliant 
singer, "Miss Josie Jones Yorke", who, in the late seventies 
and eighties, was creating such a furore in England. She had 
made her debut in Italy, running the usual gauntlet of La 
Scala with ease, and her subsequent popularity in the British 
Isles was so great, that in Dublin the college students used to 
unharness her carriage and drag it back to her hotel through 
the streets with joyous uproar. She was with Mapleson in 
the eighties on his tour through the States, conducting Patti, 
Scalchi and a galaxy of Opera singers, but her happiest success 
was with Carl Rosa in Opera in England. She had a rich, 
magnetic contralto. For many years now she has been teaching 
in Chicago. 

St. Louis , Mo., 
September 8. 
Dear Sister: 

Your letter was certainly a source of pleasure to me . . . 
and I am sorry the Convention of Federated Convent Alum- 
nae to meet here in St. Louis has been postponed. We are 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 



much disappointed as we were looking forward to seeing both 
Mrs. Williams and Jennie Freschard Wagner . . . Genevieve 
has not heard from Louise Marsh for some time. She wrote 
last from Paris, where she was on a two weeks' vacation. . . . 
We all keep very busy over War Work. At home we knit 
socks. Is it not astonishing the amount of work the women 
of the country have accomplished? . . . Little Charles has 
been regretting all the summer that he did not get to Brown 
County. Nettie and Genevieve join me in fond love to one 
and all of your dear household. 
Lovingly, 

Henrietta Prenatt Green, E. de M., 1862. 

State Vice-President for Missouri. 

The name of Mrs. Green's dead sister, Sallie Prenatt, is 
also a familiar word in Brown County. They were of an early 
French Indiana family. The second generation are Mrs. 
Nettie Green Maguire, '91, E. de M., and Miss Genevieve, 
'94, E. de M., both of St. Louis, and all are bound in old and 
new friendships among the Nuns. Their frequent summer 
visits with the little grandson, Master Charles Maguire, Jr., 
are bright days indeed. The statue of Our Lady on the 
children's campus out beyond the play-hall is the gift of 
Nettie's father. 



For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, 
and shall stick to his wife. . . . This is a great sacra- 
ment. 

— St. Paul to Ephes. V, 22, 23. 



BLESSING FOR A WEDDING RING 

Sanctify, Lord, this ring, which we bless in thy 
name, that she who shall wear it, keeping true faith unto 
her husband, may abide in thy peace and according to thy 
will, and ever live in love given and taken. Through 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

— From the Layfolks Ritual. 



64 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

Brief is the tale of her who giveth all she has. 

On Whitsunday, May, 1918, there was held in All Souls' 
Memorial Church, (Episcopalian) Washington, D. C, a sad 
little memorial service for Lieutenant Julian Noyes Dowell, 
of the Aviation Section, U. S. C. C, O. R. C, and a gold star 
was placed upon the Service Flag to honor the brave young 
fiance of Louise Elster Adams, Class of 19 14, Brown County. 
Louise is the daughter of Mrs. Jane Elster Adams, and niece 
of Mr. George Kelly and Mrs. Katherine Elster Kelly, Class 
of 1897, of Springfield, Ohio, than whom Brown County has 
no more loyal alumni. Lieutenant Dowell was a graduate 
of Princeton and a law student of Georgetown University, 
completing his aviation training at Etampes, France. The 
young hero was officially reported as "killed in line of duty". 
What more noble record? Columbus jotted in his diary 
"This day we sailed Westward, . . . which was our course." 

"Julian" writes one of his comrades, "was with Lt. 
Howard, the head of the Tours aerodrome. He had received 
orders to choose two aviators for the Front. Having made 
his selection, he made a half dozen nights with each of them 
to make sure of his choice, for he was always extremely con- 
scientious. It was on the last test that the accident happened. 
The aeroplane (a Farnam biplane) was being driven by the 
young lieutenant, Julian being the passenger, and they were 
just about to land on the aviation grounds when, probably 
owing to an air pocket, the machine suddenly turned sideways, 
throwing out the two young men, who were both killed." 

He had written home shortly before, "I am lucky to be 
honored with the opportunities given me; this situation has 
revealed God a little more clearly, and you are quite right in 
feeling that fear and faith in Him are inconsistent." 

And so Louise's War Work letter, in face of this pathetic 
story reads more eloquent in its reticence than in its disclosure. 

Washington, D. C. 

n _, . November 25, 1018. 

Dear Sister: J ' y 

Your little note asking me to tell what I have been doing 
for the success of the war came some time ago. . . It has been 
so little. . . The war was first brought very close to me a year 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 65 

ago in November, when my fiance, Lieutenant Julian Noyes 
Dowell, who had enlisted in the Aviation Corps two weeks 
after war was declared, sailed for France. .. So I feel like making 
the whole thing about Julian, ... he was so fine and did so 
much. When I see you again I shall tell you all about him, 
for I want you to know something of him. . . Excuse this poor 
little note, . . . but I feel grateful for the many wonderful 
things which you helped me to see and understand while I 
was at school. I had been going to the Red Cross rooms, 
had knitted some and taken part in the Drives or worked a 
little for other patriotic demonstrations. In short, I had done 
the usual things in the usual way — nothing more, — I hope, 
nothing less. When the letters began to come from France, 
the desire to help took possession of me and I decided to learn 
to be a typist, as every minute counted ... I hoped for a place 
in one of the big war organizations; until on the first of May 
I was called to Washington and there learned that Lieutenant 
Dowell had been killed in an accident. It seemed almost 
impossible to continue the work which I had begun. Unex- 
pectedly one day I received a telegram directing me to report 
for duty at the Treasury Department, and so I am in the 
Liberty Loan section; and sometimes when it seems hard to 
go on, there is the inspiration of our men and women who 
have given so much, . . . and Lieutenant DowelPs words in a 
letter to me, "Whatever happens you must meet the facts 
squarely and live on in a sane Christian way. If life is real, this 
war is spiritual in its significance, so whatever happens to 
me, do not fail yourself because you cannot see and under- 
stand." 

Your loving 

Louise Elster Adams, '14. 

Springfield, Ohio, 
November 29, 1918. 
Dear Sister: 

My first War Work was not a signal success, ... it con- 
sisted of a very peculiarly knitted sweater ... I belong to the 
Clark County Red Cross Chapter, and we are still making 
clothes for the refugees. This summer we had a sewing club 



66 



ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



and made outfits for the Belgian and French babies, very 
pretty and interesting, indeed. During the campaigns we were 
all pressed into the service, selling Red Cross buttons, inducing 
people to buy Bonds and Thrift Stamps and begging for the 
War Chest. 

But the War Work of which I will always be proudest 
is the economy I practiced in obedience to the Food Conserva- 
tion requirements. It is almost an impossibility to bring 
smiles back to the dusky face of one of the best colored cooks 
in Ohio, who is grieving over a sad and doughy pie. In despair 
I bought a copy of Good Housekeeping, in which, to my great 
joy, I found all kinds of War Recipes. But the sugar question 
is a veritable nightmare. Many times at market I have looked 
longingly at little measures full of bright red cranberries . . . 
Never once have I seen anyone stop in front of the cranberry 
stand. We are all trying to do our bit as true Americans. 
Every privation makes us feel that we are helping our brave 
soldiers. Although I have no brothers I would consider my- 
self unworthy of certain cousins I have in the service if I did 
not drink black coffee, and love to drink it for that . . . Please 
give my love to all Brown County. 

Affectionately, 

Pauline Bosart, '17. 



THE PIATT FAMILY AT BROWN COUNTY 



Abram 



Jacob Piatt, '76 • 



Mary, E. de M., '86 
Maj. Benj. Piatt \ *\irginia 

*Eleanor Piatt Kearney, 'c 



Mary Piatt Parry *Mary Parry Whitcomb 
Abram 



Benjamin 



Col. Don 
Wykoff 
* Have attended Brown County School. 



*Bell Piatt Worthington {♦g^ 6 



Courtney — *Jane Piatt Blakely 
*Belle Piatt Carroll 
*Toulie Piatt Grant — *Adele Grant 



ALUMN AE LETTERS 67 

October ig, igi8. 
Dear Sister: 

I am seventy-seven today, and it is just sixty years since 
I left Brown County. Three-score and seventeen years do 
not permit of much active War Work. I sit by the fire, knit 
for the soldiers and pray God that His wrath may descend 
upon the Hun. 

My children are past the fighting age, my grandchildren 
still too young. We must content ourselves with such help as 
can be given on this side. This we try to give to our utmost. 

My greetings to you all. May my next birthday see a 
restored and peaceful world, freed of the curse of the German. 
Affectionately, 
Belle Piatt Carroll, E. de M. in 1867. 



Kansas City, Mo., 
October 30. 
My dear Sister: 

The Officials of our Alumnae are to be congratulated; 
their idea of a War Work number for our next Year Book is 
a splendid one. A succession of illnesses during the past year 
have kept me a very inactive woman. Except for knitting a 
few articles, and spending a day now and then at a Surgical 
Dressing Unit, I've been an enforced slacker with a heart 
brimming over with a desire to do! As you know, I married 
into an "army family", my daughter's grandfather being the 
late Major J. B. Keefer, U. S. A. Her uncle, Col. Frank R. 
Keefer is connected with the Provost General's Department 
of Washington, D. C. Another uncle, Major General Fred. 
Foltz in command of the 91st Division, 5th Corps, is in 
France. Col. Thomas Duncan, a cousin, has charge of the 
Aviation School at Dayton, Ohio (they are changed constantly) 
another cousin, Captain Potter Palmer, is with the Signal 
Corps on the Flanders Front, and still another, Major Warren 
Hannum is with his Company on the fighting line. 

Brother George's only son, a lad of eighteen, recently 
joined the "Tanks". 



68 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

Mother has several great-nephews "over there". . . 
This array of names makes a small company, do they not? 
And they make us feel connected with war interests nationally 
and individually. . . We have escaped the "Flu" but in all 
walks of life dear ones have been taken, sometimes the whole 
family. Indeed, these are tragic days. I have asked 
myself the question "Is there need of a great atonement?" 
I am enclosing my .answer. 

Is there need of a great atonement, 

My Lord, My God, My All, 
That my sons and the sons of others, 

Must by the thousands fall? 

Our eyes are heavy with tears unshed, 

Our hearts with anguish riven, 
What is the measure of our sins, dear Lord? 

To depths of despair we're driven. 

Dear child, there is need of atonement, 

Need of a world in pain, 
That man may be drawn to Heaven. 

His suffering is not in vain. 

A world has forgotten its Maker, 

It is lustful of sin and ease. 
I gave it untrammelled freedom, 

And now it must appease. 

For I am the Almighty Father, 

My house should be the goal, 
Not the world and its vanishing treasures, 

With its wealth of vice untold. 

Man must learn submission, 

Must bow his head in grief, 
Acknowledge that I am Master, 

Then he will find relief. 

Do you think it adequate? With deepest affection for 
all the dear ones at my beloved Convent home of yesteryears, 
Katherine Fearons Keefer, '76, E. de M. 



Mrs. Elizabeth Magevney Coddington, E. de M., who 
died in 19 15 and whose War Work is recounted in this letter, 
was the sister of the present Superioress of Brown County 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 



Convent, Mother Angela nee Nellie Magevney, '90, E. de M. 
Their mother, Mrs. Elizabeth O'Driscoll Magevney, '65, E. 
de M., the writer of the letter, has been in recent years married 
to the late Mr. Wm. T. Sullivan of Chicago. Mrs. Sullivan 
was on the Committee that drew up the Constitution for the 
Alumnae in 1910. By her constant benefactions to the nuns, 
she has been accorded the degree of Fairy Godmother. The 
Magevneys are an old Memphis family from time immemorial 
devoted to Brown County. Mother Borgia, the magical 
musician, was a daughter of Mr. Michael Magevney by a 
former marriage. Two other daughters, long since dead, 
Ellen and Jennie, the beautiful singer, were pupils in years 
gone by. In memory of the old time music of these well- 
beloved women, there is a fine little Roosevelt pipe organ in 
the Convent chapel, placed there by their father. During 
the days of the Civil War, their Southern home was, of course, 
profoundly affected, and Mother Borgia, as a girl, went out 
to nurse the soldiers. So it is quite in keeping with family 
traditions that one finds Elizabeth displaying, in her quiet 
English village, the same spirit. 

Memphis, Tenn., 
October, iqi8. 
My dear Sister: 

In the Red Cross Activities for the war, my daughter, 
Elizabeth Magevney Coddington, Mother Superior's sister, 
took a very busy part . . . during the last months of her life 
in that winter of 19 15 at Avon Dassett, England, where she 
was living. She attended classes given by Red Cross Instructors 
in the village, and later joined a more advanced class of ladies 
at Farnborough, under Doctor X. When Elizabeth received 
her diploma she remarked in departing, that so far she had 
had no occasion for sending for him professionally, but added 
a little impressively "Should I have to do so, Doctor, be 
sure you come quickly." This was the physician sent for 
the night of her sudden death, but his machine got clogged 
with the deep snow, and although he walked just as fast as 
possible the rest of the three miles to Avon Dassett, he arrived 
too late. Her greatest interest was for Belgian refugees, and 



70 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

she induced the pastor, Rev, Wm. Dobell, to rent her the old 
schoolhouse, to make a home for a Belgian family, a mother 
and nine children, which she and some other ladies had written 
to London to have sent to their care. Ladies and maids took 
part, and transformed the unlikely building into very com- 
fortable quarters, Mrs. Coddington having almost stripped 
her own home of beds, pillows and all sorts of warm coverings. 
She even placed little cushions and ornaments on the desk 
made to do duty as a dressing table beside the bed reserved 
for the Belgian mother. A small cottage connecting with the 
schoolhouse had been converted into kitchen and salle-a- 
manger, and provisions and coal had been sent, this last from 
Mrs. Coddington's supply. The maids were busy preparing 
the first meal. Elizabeth and the other ladies went in their 
autos to the railroad station, nine miles distant, to meet and 
bring the refugees to Avon Dassett while the rest of us helped 
the maids get everything else in readiness. 

Just imagine our consternation when the autos drove up, 
to see three couples, five children, a mother-in-law and sister 
of one of the couples alight, — instead of the expected family! 
Soon after we were beckoned into the parsonage, where Father 
Dobell, in a state of great excitement, told us the men must 
be sent to another village for the night, and be returned to 
London next day, as it was impossible to house them in that 
one big room. But Miss Perry, the Lady of Bithom House, 
Mrs. Weld and daughters of Orchard Lodge, Mrs. Bassett 
and some others with Mrs. Coddington, sent maids and 
chauifeurs to their homes, and soon a goodly supply of drawing- 
room curtains were put to immediate use and separate apart- 
ments were made. In their hurried flight these people had 
been unable to take anything with them except what they 
wore. Each family in Avon Dassett had agreed to pay a cer- 
tain sum weekly or its equivalent in provisions, but clothing 
was needed. So I made a quick trip to Leamington, the nearest 
town, the next day for bolts of flannel and muslin, with shoes 
and stockings. Many of the Avon Dassett ladies had planned 
to take Belgian children into their own homes to raise, and 
Elizabeth had asked for two little boys, but her sudden death 
prevented the accomplishment of that good work. Having 
returned to the United States in October, 1914, I was recalled 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 71 

to England late in December by Elizabeth's death, and when 
late in the spring I felt able to visit the Belgians I found the 
husbands had obtained employment, the children were attend- 
ing the village school, and the women were sewing or washing 
by the day in some of the homes of the better class of farmers. 
When food was a little short they frequently came — the women 
and children, — to the roomy kitchen of the "Old House", 
as Mrs. Coddington's English home was called, — and they 
found the generous welcome there which Elizabeth would 
have given them. 

I was able to turn over to them later on, through Mrs. 
Weld, a large potato field, planted, and was glad to hear 
later on after my return to America how greatly the potatoes 
had helped in feeding the refugees during that hard winter of 
I9i6-'i7. 

My sister (Mrs. Ellen O'Driscoll Brasher) has worked for 
the Red Cross so regularly and so well that all the depart- 
ments have vied with each other in asking her help, and I 
could not tell you the number of pieces she has finished. 
Mother Superior's brother, popularly known as "Judge 
Magevney", has been a very successful Four Minute Man, 
in less than a half hour his first talk brought in for the Red 
Cross nineteen hundred dollars, four hundred of whch was 
the offering of a negro congregation. He says the colored 
people are more than generous. This is the list unless I may 
be permitted to add our Boy Scouts, my son's three boys, 
who have sold a fair share of War Savings Stamps and Bonds. 
Believe me with devoted love, 

Elizabeth O'Driscoll Magevney Sullivan, 

Class of '65, E. de M. 
State Vice-President for Tennesee. 



Louisville, Ky., 
October. 29, 1918. 

Compared to the Brown County mothers and sisters who 
have given their beloved sons and brothers to this awful war, 
my "Wee Bit" seems so small and pitiful, — I hate to write 
of it. 



72 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

Since I have been sick (a stroke of paralysis), I have 
seemed so useless in this great, big, busy world, of ours, so full 
of trouble and sorrow, — but if my humble prayers count, — 
I have prayed oh, so fervently! 

Then, too, I belong to the St. Mary Magdalen Unit of 
the Red Cross, though my fingers have lost some of the cunning 
of Brown County days for knitting. 

Give my dear Mother Angela my best love, and to your- 
self a Brown County kiss from 

Mary O'Reilly Francke. 

Be sure to give my love to all the nuns. 

Our little actress, Miss Marguerite Clarke's answer to 
the call of Alma Mater was a charming photograph taken in 
child costume, with two saucy kittens in her arms. It was 
signed: 

With every good wish, 

Marguerite Clarke. 

On the back of the photograph she had written "Sold 
one million dollars' worth of Liberty Bonds in about eight 
hours, — October 24, 1917, Cincinnati, Ohio". 

That same Liberty Day she had sent a wire out to Mother 
Superior at Brown County: "A thousand thanks for your 
kind invitation and sweet thought of me. Deeply regret not 
being able to see you all, but am here only twenty-four hours. 
Wish with all my heart I might see you. Love and best wishes 
to each and every one." 

Marguerite Clarke. 

She is now Mrs. Marguerite Clarke Williams, and her 
husband wears the straps of a Lieutenant on his shoulders. 



New Orleans, 
October 18, 1918. 
Dear Sister: 

Would I could write you of real work, — that would have 
been a help and inspiration to others. Instead I've had a 
little of Emergency Red Cross work, a little knitting, seasoned 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 73 

with a tiny bit of assistance to the Chaplain's Aid. . . My 
share seems to be just helping the others to do their Bit; for 
Mary Angela, aged eleven, is quite a little worker, making 
herself very valuable at our Red Cross Branch, not only by 
her willing little errands, but with actual work. She has made 
three sweaters that would be a credit to older hands. And 
Myra, who has been indefatigable from the beginning, is 
now one of the Field Secretaries, doing the active work of 
organizing in North Louisiana, the field assigned her. We can 
boast of neither soldiers nor sailors. Uncle Sam does not want 
my good husband who is far past the age, and my oldest boy, 
who would be eligible, had joined that other Army under the 
banner of St. Ignatius, before our call to arms. Best love to 
all, my dear, dear friends at Brown County. . . Wishing you 
every success with the Year Book, I am 
Affectionately, 

Lelia Porteous Pond, E. de M., 

State Vice-President for Louisiana. 



Mrs. Pond's sister, Miss Laura Porteous, E. de M., '96, did 
War Work on the Censor Board of New Orleans, where she 
censored letters in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and 
three Scandinavian languages. 



Fort Thomas, Ky., 
October 21, iqi8. 
Dear Sister: 

Yes, I am very busy with War Work. Our Red Cross 
Unit is under the management of a charming and interesting 
woman, Madame Aerts, wife of the Belgian Consul. Our work 
consists now of surgical supplies, and the making of body 
bandages, the rolling of which is very complicated. The 
knitting we do at home. I felt my education was not complete 
until I had tried socks, and no boy was ever prouder of his 
first trousers than I of that first pair of socks. Of course, the 



74 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

whole family are interested in Thrift Stamps and Bonds, 
little Blair having sold twenty-six hundred dollars worth of 
Bonds last week. I trust our War Book will be a grand success. 
Affectionately, 

Nellie Barringer Blair. 

Mrs. Blair was the first Treasurer of the Alumnae, 1910- 
191 3. She is the oldest of the Barringers, who were at the 
Convent in the Seventies, herself, Lulu Barringer, now Sister 
Gonzaga, and Mrs. Kittie Barringer Gratney, who died in 
the Church in 1890. 



BLESSING OF A MOTHER AFTER CHILDBIRTH 

Almighty, everlasting God, who through the delivery 
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, hast turned into joy the pains 
of the faithful in childbirth, look mercifully upon this 
thine handmaid, coming in gladness to thy temple, to offer 
up her thanks; and grant that after this life, by the merits 
and intercession of the same blessed Mary, she may merit 
to arrive with her offspring at the' joys of everlasting hap- 
piness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

— From the Layfolks Ritual. 



St. Louis, Mo., 
October 7, 1018. 
My dear Sister: 

While I think the plan unique and interesting, I fear my 
little letter will be stupid compared to many others. . . . 

The unfortunate position in which I find myself financially, 
has precluded the possibility of doing my "Bit" in the wonder- 
ful work now going on. My path in life for the last few years 
has been so beset with thorns, and all my attentions monopo- 
lized by homely duties, deprived even of the privilege of con- 
tributing towards the welfare of so many in need, that I have 
been thinking of starting a little "War" on my own account! — 
against whom I will not tell! But though compelled to take 
a seat among the loneliest of the lonely in woman's grand 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 75 

work for our heroes, I am proud to say I have near relatives 
occupying positions of grave responsibility. To begin with, 
my own brother, Major Louis Tonsard Pirn, named for one 
of Gen. Lafayette's Aides, my Grandfather's friend, — is in 
the Medical Corps, Field Artillery of Missouri, now in action. 
My first cousin, Col. John Allan Hornsby, is Inspector . of 
Hospitals all over the United States. 

Well, Sister. . . here's hoping the War Year Book will 
eclipse all previous ones in point of dignity, interest, and cir- 
culation. With much old-time Convent love for all, I am 
Loyally and affectionately, 

Alice Pim Kay. 



Paris, Ky., 
October 16, igi8. 
Dear Sister: 

... I do not know how you would classify me. I seem 
to have dipped into a little of everything without real results. 
I have worked on all but one of the Liberty Loan Campaigns, 
but did not keep record of how many thousand I sold. I am 
County Chairman for Bourbon County, Ky., in the War 
Stamp Campaign, and am a little proud of my record in that. 
We went "Over the Top" before Pledge Day, and my average 
of over-subscription ranks third in the State. I took a three 
months' course at the University, in Motor Ambulance Driv- 
ing, and have tried everything from heading a Patriotic Parade 
to being waitress in our Red Cross Tea Room. I have Stamps 
and Bonds, I am supporting a French orphan; I have worked 
on the Belgian Relief; I have knit a number of socks and 
sweaters, have worked at surgical dressings, and to finish up, 
have registered for Foreign Service in the Canteen. I have a 
number of cousins in the service but no one nearer, and that 
is why I am anxious to go, for I feel our family should be 
represented. Why does not Brown County send over a Unit? 
I do hope to get up to Brown County soon, it seems a lifetime 
since I was there last. My love to all the Sisters. 

Lovingly, 

Elizabeth Steele, '09. 



76 ALUM NAE YEAR BOOK 



BLESSING FOR CHEESE AND BUTTER 

Deign, Lord God Almighty, to bless and sanctify this 
creature, Cheese and Butter, which thou hast been pleased 
to produce from milk of animals, so that any of thy faith- 
ful who partake of it, enjoying every blessing and thy 
grace, may abound in good things. Through Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



BLESSING FOR EGGS 

Assist with the grace of thy blessing, Lord, this 
creature of Eggs, that it may be healthful food for thy 
faithful receiving it gratefully: because of the Resurrec- 
tion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who with thee liveth and 
reigneth for ever and ever. Amen. 

— Priests Book of Ritual. 



BLESSING FOR BREAD 

Lord Jesus Christ, Bread of angels, Bread of eternal 
life, bless this bread, as thou didst bless the five loaves in the 
desert, that all those who eat of it, may receive health of 
body and soul. Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

— Priests' Book of Ritual. 



Those who remember Edith Hayes will be touched and 
impressed with her letter, for it was among the very last she 
wrote before her unexpected death of pneumonia in New York 
just two weeks after the writing. A strain of seriousness runs 
through it, and the old gay, laughter-loving, wilful, warm- 
hearted Edith has taken on a womanliness born of faith and 
life's hard experience. She was staying at Manhattanville 
Convent preparing to take up a new home, when she was 
suddenly attacked by Influenza-Pneumonia, received the last 
Sacraments and died before her sister from St. Louis could 
reach her bedside, and was buried before her soldier-husband 
could learn the circumstances of her death. 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 77 

New York, 
October, 1918. 

Dear Sister: 

What happiness Uncle Sam gave me this morning, bring- 
ing me your nice long letter. I am in the little village of New 
York since last May and I tried to take up nursing, but much 
to my disgust it was too hard for me, ... so at present War 
and all have been put out of my mind by the doctor's orders. 
In November I hope to go in one of the little khaki ambulances 
every day. On the ninth of last month I received a cable- 
gram from Frank, (her husband, Lieutenant Dolan, in France), 
saying he was sailing for home. I knew he had been sick, 
and that he had been sent to one of the Base Hospitals last 
May. I was wild with joy. . . It certainly was a Fool's Para- 
dise. Tuesday, the twenty-fourth, brought letters, but oh, 
such blue ones, ... his orders had been changed and he was 
to remain in Paris. . . . perhaps it was best. How true is the 
little poem "God holds the key to all unknown". . . I will 
send it to you, and I wonder if you will love it as I do. 

I am terribly sorry, dear Sister, not to have anything of 
interest for the Book, but my life is so self-centered and unin- 
teresting. Just before leaving Boston last May, I received the 
Child of Mary medal at the convent there, and since I have 
been here the mornings I have missed Mass and Communion 
have been few, as the Knickerbocker, where I am staying 
temporarily, is right near the convent. I am not looking for 
praise, but I thought it might please you a tiny bit. 

At present I am counting on a visit home, and if I get it, 
may I hope for another flying visit with you? This time we 
can take a nice long walk around the grounds, as it will be 
April or May. When you write Sister Josephine, give her my 
love, please, but keep a big share for yourself, for surely you 
know I love you dearly. Here is the little poem I spoke of. . . 

"God holds the key of all unknown, and I am glad, — 
If other hands should hold the key 
Or if he trusted it to me, 
I might be sad! 



78 ALUMNAE YEAR BOO K 

"The very dimness of my sight makes me secure. 

For groping in my misty way 

I feel His hand, I hear Him say 
'My help is sure'." 

I am as ever, 

Respectfully, 

Edith Hayes Dolan. 

§2 

Mrs. Mary Reaume Drum was the very first chairman of 
the very first alumnae meeting, in June, 1910. She, and Louise 
Marsh, now in France, with the New York Presbyterian 
Hospital Unit, organized the assembly that elected Mrs. 
Williams president. Mrs. Drum's husband was at that time 
Lieutenant Drum, 23rd U. S. Infantry, and they had no chil- 
dren. Today her husband is Brig. Gen. Hugh A. Drum, and 
little Miss Anna Carroll Drum is growing up almost as fast 
as her father did. The verses given below are part of a War 
Time Lullaby which this happy mother set to music and 
published for the benefit of the French babies whose fathers 
were "away" in another sense. 

Dear little tot you've been busy all day, 
Working so hard at your cunning play, 
Your two tiny feet have pattered so fast 
I wonder the Sandman has caught you at last. 
Your wee woolly dog is tired as you, 
He says for you please to rock him, too. 
In the bye-bye chair off to Sleepytown 
In Mother's arms come lay yourself down. 

Daddy has gone so far away, 

But Daddy'll be coming home some day. 

Daddy, my dear, is a soldier, you know, 

He's gone to fight our country's foe, 

That the world may be safer for you and me 

And gladness and joy again may be; 

But his heart is here with his baby dear, 

He bids us be brave and nothing fear. 

Bye-bye in your bye-bye chair; 

Mother is rocking her baby there. 

She knows you are tired and weary, quite, 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 79 

Though you're fighting sleep with your tiny might. 
Dear little one, close your eyes so blue, 
The angels are whispering soft to you, — 
"Rest little love, we watch from above — " 
Go to sleep in your bye-bye chair. 

Indianapolis, Indiana, 
December 12, 1918. 
Dear Sister: 

I do not seem to have had a chance to answer your letter 
until now. I have done no War Work. When my husband 
Brigadier-General Hugh A. Drum) left for France, I felt he 
would do the important work for the family and that I could 
help most by helping him and having his mind at ease about 
his family. When he left I wrote him I would not keep a nurse 
and while he was away I would never leave Carroll except 
with my sister. If you knew "Peaches" you would realize 
that this would leave me time for nothing, for she is a most 
active young person. We were without her so many years and 
wanted her so badly, that I could do no better War Work than 
taking her for my bit. My sister has done splendid work; 
she has written all the letters for Miss Goodwin, the head of 
the Red Cross here, has worked in the French Relief, and is 
now in the Canteen Service, having charge of the publicity of 
all these things. I don't think anyone in Indianapolis has done 
better work. Of course I have bought Liberty Bonds of each 
issue more than I could afford, and the money I made from 
my little Lullaby I used to buy War Stamps. (Mrs. Drum 
composed and published an attractive Lullaby for a soldier's 
baby, which was sung by the little girls at Brown County on 
St. Ursula's Day, 191 8, with great success.) All the knitting 
I have been able to do I have sent to my husband; I don't 
suppose anyone else would want it. It is difficult to knit and 
prance after Miss Drum at the same time. She is a normal 
healthy child, bubbling over with spirits. She is adorable. 
I have loved every minute I have been with her. She fascinates 
and amuses me but keeps me busy. 

General Drum has done wonderful work. General Bundy 
told me last week that he had done magnificent work and that 
he was proud of him. Men whom I know over there have 



80 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

written me that he is a military genius. My proudest moment 
was when Gen. Pershing made him Chief of Staff of the First 
Field Army. It was a Major General's detail, and my husband 
was a Lieut. Colonel. It is a position of great responsibility, 
and he has more than made good in it. The First Field Army 
will go down in history. He was made Brigadier General 
after the success of St. Mihiel for his work in planning that 
offensive. It was a brilliant success. I am sending you this 
order of the First Army, it will be interesting. I am proud 
of the work he has done, that has made him, young as he is, 
one of the big men of our army over there. There is little in 
his letters — he has time to write me only short ones — except 
to tell me how wonderful were our fighting men over there 
and how proud he is of them. . . . Since St. Mihiel, Hugh has 
worked sixteen hours a day. Our troops had terrific fighting 
the last month. He said in one letter "Success is one thing 
but loss of life is another, and the relief that it is over is 
tremendous." I do not know what I could tell you that you 
could use for your book. I sent the French orphans in Chau- 
mont, where General Pershing's headquarters are located, 
Christmas boxes last year and Easter boxes, and have had 
many letters from them. A Miss Singleton, who was at head- 
quarters office distributed the gifts for Hugh. She knew the 
needy children. The charming letters from her and from the 
children seemed too much gratitude for so little a thing. I 
think your book will be most interesting and it is such a nice 
thing to do. I am content to shine by reflected glory. Hugh 
has done wonderful work in France, and my sister splendid 
work here. Peaches and I have just played along and prayed 
along! Much love to you all. 

Devotedly, 

Mary Reaume Drum, '99, E. de M. 

Before Brigadier General Drum sailed for Europe, he was a 
Major detailed to the General Staff. He has become succes- 
sively Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel and Brigadier-General. He 
is thirty-eight years old. Under Gen. Pershing he handled 
the whole movement of the 750,000 men engaged in the 
action. He has had much to do with the preparations for the 



AlUMNAE LETTERS 81 

landing of the large forces on the western front. He also had a 
prominent part in the working out the scheme of training to 
which American troops have been subjected. He spent six 
weeks in the trenches with the 42nd (Rainbow) Division 
during its period of training. Gen. Drum served in the Philip- 
pines and twice was cited for bravery. He was assistant 
Chief-of-StafT to the late Major General Funston at the Mexi- 
can border. He has also been instructor at Fort Leavenworth. 
Major General McAndrew predicted of him "Lieut. Col. 
Drum is a tower of strength and is destined for much higher 
honors", the following letters sent to Mrs. Drum show his 
enthusiasm for our superb American forces under him: 

"The Armistice has been signed. My! but it is a great 
relief! The Americans can feel proud of their part in the war. 
When the First Army was organized we drove the Germans 
back at St. Mihiel and made a quick jump to the Argonne 
front. The move will be put down as one of the skillful ma- 
noeuvres of the war. Our attack here was the blow against 
the vital point of the whole German system. If he lost here 
he lost the war and his army. During the first month of our 
constant battle we forced him to bring all of his good troops 
to hold us. This freed the fronts of the British, French and 
Belgians and permitted them to advance. For one month we 
kept hammering him until we saw that he was weakening. We 
then gave the mighty blow of November first. This blow ended 
the war. We broke through his lines and split his army, 
reaching Sedan. This will go down in history as the vital 
blow of the war. " 



Headquarters First Army 
American Expeditionary Forces. 5 Nov., 1918. 
General Orders No. 31. 

On Nov. 1st, after constant fighting for over one month, 
the First American Army launched an attack against the 
German Army, which had established itself for determined 
resistance. In five days it had penetrated 25 kilometres and 
had driven the enemy in retreat before it. Its brilliant success 



ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



in connection with the advance of the 4th French Army on 
its left, forced the Germans to retreat on a broad front to the 
west. 

It has fought and marched and endured the rigors of 
campaign with the most superb indifference to everything 
except the determination to go forward and imprint upon the 
enemy the marks of its courage and resolution. 

All arms and services, those in advance who smashed the 
way, those in the air who rendered aggressive and efficient 
service, and those in the rear who by their untiring industry 
made possible the continued advance, are worthy of the 
highest praise and the gratitude of their admiring country. 

The army commander is proud of such an army, thanks 
it for the splendid results already achieved, and looks with 
confidence to the still greater successes that lie before it. 

By command of Lieutenant General Liggett: 

Hugh A. Drum, Chief of Staff. 
Official, Adj. General. 



Chicago, III., 
October 17, iqi8. 
My dear Sister: 

Your note pleased me immensely, especially the part 
saying you hadn't forgotten me. It has been some time since 
I heard from Brown County, although very often I think of 
the good old times. Some day I should like to go back for a 
regular visit and again be with many of the dear ones whom 
I grew to know and like so well. If I can possibly arrange such 
a visit I surely will do it. . . The Book is bound to appeal to 
every Brown County girl. . . .Now for my own activities. 
Last February the Government offered a course in stenography, 
typewriting, and business information, which I completed 
and found very interesting. In June I took a position with 
the Central Division of the Red Cross here in Chicago, a 
very busy place indeed. It handles an immense volume of 
work daily. The work is both interesting and instructive, 
and I believe I have gained more business experience in the 
last three months than I ever had before. Outside of this I 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 



have helped to sell some Liberty Bonds and War Savings 
Stamps. I think this constitutes my personal doings as far 
as the war is concerned. Here, as elsewhere, all anybody thinks, 
hears, or talks about is war, war, war. . . Please remember me 
to everybody who you think will remember me, and accept lots 
of love from 

Yours affectionately, 

Henrietta McDonald. 



BLESSING FOR A NEW HOUSE 

We humbly pray thee, God the Father Almighty, for 
this house, and for those who dwell in it, and for the things 
that are therein, that thou wouldst vouchsafe to bless and 
hallow it, and fill it with all good things . . . When we enter 
upon this house graciously vouchsafe to bless and hallow 
it, as thou didst vouchsafe to bless the house of Abraham, 
Isaac, and Jacob; let thy angels of light dwell within its 
walls, and guard it and those that dwell therein. Through 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

— The Layf oiks' Ritual. 



Cincinnati, Ohio, 
October J, igi8. 
Dear Sister: 

The tale of my small share in war activities will seem 
very tame compared to the real things that have been accom- 
plished, but the loss of an appendix involves the loss of other 
things, such as time and "pep". But somewhere "over there" 
are some little families I was able to help, and this is how I 
did it. On the third story of our home is a room that I dearly 
love because in it are two looms, a warping board and all 
things necessary for the weaving of tapestries, table-runners, 
baby blankets, and all sorts of pretty things. Many kind 
friends came to my rescue and helped me. . . In the first place 
there was Elizabeth Nourse, the Cincinnati artist, who, with 
her sister, has lived through the dreadful year in Paris, helping 
... It was through her we heard the sad tales. She took charge 



84 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

of the funds we sent over, and applied them. Many of the 
refugees had lost all sense of values and were unable to buy 
for themselves, so Elizabeth and her sister set themselves to 
make every penny go as far as possible. To them came many 
people who were too proud to go to the Red Cross and public 
charities, — artists who had no chance of making a livelihood, 
French mothers who could not bring themselves to ask for 
bread when they had been used to every comfort. 

The looms were very busy from Christmas until March. 
We tried to make each article original and attractive and 
practical at the same time. There were soft woolen baby- 
blankets with bunnies, ducks or pink rosebuds on the borders; 
there were table-runners with greens and browns and dull 
reds; there were all varieties of bags. We chose the Hotel 
Gibson and arranged a counter in the vestibule, made gay 
with flags and flowers. We were thrilled beyond measure to 
find we made over one hundred dollars the first day, small 
in comparison with the millions that have been poured out, 
but this was such a tiny affair that we were as pleased as 
children. Altogether last winter we made about #250.00, and 
Elizabeth Nourse seems to feel it is going a great way toward 
winning the war! Dear, brave people on the other side, — how 
they encourage us who are working over here in what seems 
to us such a futile way compared to theirs. God bless them 
all, — it will take Eternity to make up to them for the horrors 
they have been through. 

Devotedly, 

Dorothy Schmidt, '05 Oak St., E. de M. 



Marietta, Georgia, 
November 5. 
Dear Sister: 

Your letter was forwarded to Indianapolis, and then on 
to Chicago. I was visiting Gertrude Doud. Byrd told me about 
your passing through Indianapolis from Notre Dame Uni- 
versity last summer. I have been very sick for over a year. 
I nursed poor little mother for two months, day and night, 
and after her death went all to pieces. . . I went north on a 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 85 

trip. . . My youngest sister, Frances, was taken seriously ill. . . 
I received a wire one night at 9 o'clock and at 9 130 was on a 
train headed for home. . .If I can save Frances any future 
trouble I will be thankful. We have had such severe sick- 
nesses and three deaths, and I have always been the nurse. 
I was so glad I was able to take care of my dear ones. I had 
hoped to remain north until December first and had planned 
to visit the convent before my return home. You ask what 
I have been doing for the war. Not so much as I would like. 
I had a wonderful war garden this summer, and sold a tomato 
in Atlanta for thirty cents, weight one and one half pounds. 
I am a perfect bug on food conservation. I canned enough to 
last all winter, and everything raised on our place. I am very 
proud of my winter larder. I have given as much as I could 
to all war interests. We are all members of the Red Cross 
and Young Women's Christian Association, and I have two 
sisters in government work. If I had been well I think I should 
have gotten out into active service. I hope this awful war 
will soon be over. I know our Convent Year Book will be 
very interesting and I am sorry I have not something of great 
importance to give you for it. Love to all the dear Sisters. 

Devotedly, 

Kate Law. 



Dear Sister: 



Morrow, Ohio. 



During these times, when our daily tasks call to mind 
the dreadful condition of the world, we, the Brown County 
girls, have lots to be thankful for; if only the pleasant recol- 
lections of the happy school days, under the care of loving 
nuns and surrounded by everything that was beautiful. 

I think of you very often but have not written lately, 
because my spare moments are very few, as I think every- 
one can say now-a-days. 

Since the organization of a branch of the American Red 
Cross here, I have been secretary, and many days are entirely 
taken up with letter writing, telephoning and committee 
meetings, besides surgical dressing class and work in sewing 
rooms. 



ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



But the task, that at first glance appeared unending to 
us, was the sorting, listing and packing of the clothing donated 
to the Belgium Relief. 

Harry sends his kindest regards to you. He is very busy 
making saddle hardware for the government. His youngest 
brother enlisted in the navy a year ago, and is now an officer 
in the Civil Engineering Department in Washington, D. C. 

R. Stewart Riley, my cousin, is a First Lieutenant in the 
army, and Commanding Officer in a university at Georgetown, 
Texas. 

How I should like to come into the class-rooms of dear 
old Brown County Convent today, and do "my bit" in the 
War Work which I know is progressing with Brown County 
perfection. 

Dear Sister give my love to all the Sisters who remember 
me, especially the poor dear ones, whom I studied under (my 
sympathy is still with them). 

With lots of love for your dear self, I am 
Devotedly, 

Carolyn O'Donnell White. 



Cincinnati, Ohio. 
October. 



Dear Sister: 



I think my War Work may be answered very shortly, as 
the doctor says he thinks the head of the house has had all 
the work to do, and I am busy in merely seconding his efforts. 
Our boys are hardly old enough to show their patriotism by 
soldiering; however, Delia's boys are serving in the army, 
Ralph at Camp Lee, Va., and Edward at Akron, Ohio. Of course 
I belong to St. Mary's Unit, Hyde Park, and have done the 
usual bit of work and knitting that the Unit provides . . . but 
Sister, the frightful epidemic takes all else from one's mind. . . 
going with the doctor this evening to make his rounds, . . . 
on one street alone he visited four homes in a row, each with 
three, four, and five in one family down, and in one house a 
mother went to bed Saturday morning and died that evening. 



ALUMN AE LETTERS 87 

One reads of those things, but Sister, it is in the actual contact 
with these cases that we realize it. . . We have lost, four 
soldiers right within our block with this disease. . . Sister 
dear, remember me to all the dear nuns. . . Hoping the epi- 
demic will not reach the dear old Brown County, I remain 

Affectionately, 

Lulu Bering Busch. 

Mrs. Lulu Bering Busch is the daughter of Mrs. Alice 
Boyle Bering, and sister of the late Mrs. Delia Bering Busch, 
'92, E. de M., whose two little girls are now being educated 
at the Convent in accord with the will of their parents, making 
the third generation of Boyles at Brown County. Another 
sister is Mrs. Fannie Bering Doppes, E. de M., likewise a 
member. On the Alumnae Roll are also Mrs. Anna Boyle 
Roberts, E. de M., and her daughter, Miss Pazzi Roberts, 
and Mrs. Ada Boyle Wetterer, E. de M., who is one of the 
Directors of the Alumnae Association, and her daughter, 
Miss Florence Wetterer, '17, E. de M. 



BLESSING FOR A SICK MOTHER BEFORE CHILD- 
BIRTH 

Lord God, Creator of all things, strong and terrible, 
just and merciful, who alone art good and kind; . . . who 
madest our fathers thy beloved, and sanctifiest them by 
the power of thy Spirit; who by the co-operation of the 
Holy Spirit, didst prepare the body and soul of the glorious 
Virgin Mary . . . to be made a fitting habitation of thy 
Son; who madest John the Baptist to be filled with the 
Holy Spirit, and to leap in his mother s womb; accept the 
sacrifice of a contrite heart, and the fervent prayer of thine 
handmaid . . . for the preservation of the offspring which 
thou hast given her to conceive; take care of this woman who 
is thine and defend her from all craft and injury of the dire- 
ful enemy . . . that her offspring may come prosperously 
to this light of day, and may be preserved for holy regenera- 
ation (Baptism), may evermore serve thee in all things, and 
may merit to attain to everlasting life. Through Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

— The Layfolks Ritual. 



ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



BLESSING FOR A SICK CHILD 

God, who in a wonderful manner dost dispose the 
ministry of angels and of men, grant we beseech thee that 
the life of this child may be strengthened upon earth, by 
those who ever assist thee in thy ministrations in Heaven. 
Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

& 

Memphis, Tenn. 

October 4, 1918. 
Dear bister: 

It was good to see your handwriting again. . . With my 
husband working indirectly under the government, — that is, 
he buys all the lint for DuPont that the Allies make their 
powder out of, — . . . my brother a captain of a submarine, 
my cousin a colonel in France, and my other three cousins 
in the service, our family is interested in little else. I lost no 
time in taking the Surgical Dressing Course and have been 
inspecting in our Red Cross, which I am proud to say ranks 
second to none. While in Philadelphia last summer and in 
Washington, in June, there were no better equipped rooms to 
be found. I took a course of home nursing last summer, as 
trained nurses will be hard to secure in private homes. I have 
rather fallen down on the knitting. I made one sweater, 
several pairs of wristlets and a scarf. I have been writing to 
four Belgian soldiers, two have been killed in action. My other 
two War Sons have been in service since the very beginning 
of the fight. I have also a little French orphan who interests 
me very much. So with the financial calls to which Mr. Bur- 
rows has been most generous, there is little time or inclination 
for anything else. Mr. Burrows has worked himself to the 
verge of a breakdown. You see he organized the DuPont 
American Industries this summer. We expect to go to Cali- 
fornia to stay some months. . . Brown County's Diamond 
Jubilee sounds royal indeed. Kindest regards to all. . . . 
Catherine Walters Burrows. 

_ _,, Chattanooga, Tenn. 

Dear bister: 

. . . The Chaplain's Aid is doing splendid work. We 
organized one year ago this month, and our work has increased 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 



each month. We have affiliated ourselves with the National 
Chaplain's Aid Association in New York, the National Catholic 
War Council of Washington, and the local branch of the 
National Service League in Chattanooga. We are the local 
assistants of the Knights of Columbus both in town here and 
at the Park, and have recognition from the Knights of Colum- 
bus War Council. So you see we are on the map! I am now 
preparing my annual report and I shall try to give you a 
brief idea, if I can be brief on my pet theme. We have one 
hundred and twenty-five members, and have launched a 
membership campaign. Our dues are three dollars. These 
are the committees: Music Committee, Funeral Committee, 
Hospital Visiting Committee, Entertainment Committee. 

The Music Committee at one time served at five Masses 
at the Park, but now with the coming in of the draft men 
there is so much talent among them that the Chaplains have 
interested the men in singing for the Masses. But the girls 
sing at every Catholic funeral. This past week has surely 
been a busy one — sixty-seven funerals in seven days. Sister, 
I wish you could see a soldier's funeral — cold things at the 
best, and yet — we help furnish flowers, and in the hand of 
every "Catholic boy is placed a crucifix. Then the Chaplain 
reads some prayers, — there is a song or two, always "Nearer 
My God to Thee," then the band takes its place, all fall in line, 
band, firing squad, chaplains and officers, and last of all the 
hearse, with three soldiers walking on each side. I can hear their 
Dead March in my sleep sometimes. Last week there was 
three funerals in one day, seven in each group. I thought that 
was dreadful but Mrs. K. told me there were sixty-eight today. 

The Committee attends every Catholic funeral. The 
Chaplains notify us when the boy is a Catholic, then the 
Chairman places a crucifix in the dead soldier's hand and gets 
his name. We have a Mass said for every Catholic boy who 
dies at the camp. They have been coming in so fast lately — 
Father X said he would send in the list just as soon as he 
could catch his breath. 

We have also a Committee who go out to sew at the 
Knights of Columbus building. Besides all this we have 
adopted a French orphan, we gather books for the library, 



90 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

we have collected for the Belgian Relief Fund and a hundred 
other smaller things. 

All the above work is our own, but some of our best work 
is done through the Service League. It has charge of the 
hospital visiting, and the wards are assigned to various organi- 
zations. We asked for and got three wards, — the largest num- 
ber handled by any organization. The beds run from seventy- 
five to a hundred and twenty. The Chairman of the Hospital 
Visiting Committee is, by the way, an old Brown County 
girl, Mrs. Carl White, nee Mary Mitchell, and she certainly 
is the one for the place. Magazines, cigarettes, and chewing 
gum are taken out every Thursday, and enough girls to help, 
and cheer the boys. You would be surprised how the boys 
look forward to Thursday afternoon. About the last of 
August we gave a party to some eighty convalescents on 
Lookout Mountain and served them a nice supper, and they 
had a good time. Every Friday our Committee goes out to 
the hospital mending rooms and mends or makes things used 
in the hospital. This, by the way, is one of the largest mili- 
tary hospitals in the country. Besides these things, we do a 
lot of small things for the Service League, such as making 
sandwiches, lemonade, and the like, for various affairs. If 
things remain as bad as they are now, the Service League will 
open up soup kitchens in various parts of the town for desti- 
tute families and we will take one. Many of our girls have 
gone out as volunteer nurses or are doing relief work in the 
town. I cannot go as a nurse on mother's account, but I do 
what relief work I can. 

One point that might be of interest to those who are 
doing similar work is the way in which we conduct our Satur- 
day night dances. The hall is open to any soldier that wishes 
to come, but no girl is allowed in the building unless she is a 
member of the Chaplain's Aid or holds a card of invitation 
issued by some member of the Chaplain's Aid. The members 
are limited to two such invitations. You see in this way we 
know every girl on the floor, and we figure that as long as the 
girls are all right only the right sort of men will come. I sup- 
pose you know I am president of the Chaplain's Aid and 
there are one hundred and twenty-five members. We organized 
a year ago this month, thanks to you. Our dances at the 



ALUMN AE LETTERS 91 

Knights of Columbus building are literally held in the presence 
of the Blessed Sacrament. Only a small double door on the 
stage shuts us out, and the Blessed Sacrament is kept on a 
small altar back of this door. There now! I'd hate to have to 
edit this letter. I might have told interesting things if I were 
not so deadly interested in this Chaplain's Aid! Pray for us. 

Affectionately, 

Marguerite Aull, '02, E. de M. 



Hyattsville, Md., 
October 6, igi8. 
My dear Sister: 

It is with great pleasure that I comply with the patriotic 
request of the Alumnae Officers. I have charge of the Liberty 
Loan and Thrift, being Chairman of the Food Conservation, 
having twenty-five assistants. For stimulating interest I 
organized a parade through our village, . . . Senior and Junior 
Red Cross, School Children, Fire Department, Odd Fellows, 
prominent citizens, Boy and Girl Scouts, etc., and had the 
bell ringing — St. Jerome's — during the parade, which was 
headed by Uncle Sam and Columbia and a band; it halted 
before the Municipal Building for an address by our fellow 
townsman, Mr. Matthew F. Halloran, whose two sons, to- 
gether with my own, were among the very first to reach the 
foreign shores. He unfurled the service flag with its ninety- 
five stars, — thirty-eight per cent of Hyattsville's eligible 
population. At the Town Hall the Governor of the State 
delivered an appeal which realized #10,000 in Liberty Bonds, 
and this after the town had previously been solicited from 
door to door. The town trebled its quota, winning the Honor 
Flag. I have been active in the Red Cross also, and have 
knitted fourteen army sweaters, six helmets and a dozen pairs 
of wristlets, while my two daughters, Dorothy and Helen, have 
completed their twelfth pair of socks. Give my love to all 
the dear nuns who may remember their old pupil. 

Lucy Daugherty Aman. 



92 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

Maysville, Ky., 
December 4. 
Dear Mother, Sisters, Friends: 

When I think of the triumphant record of American 
young womanhood in the great war, the part I have played 
in my country's heroic pageant seems so small, it is with pro- 
found humility and only in obedience to the call sent to the 
daughters of the Ursulines that I submit the following answer 
to your questions. In Red Cross activities I have been ap- 
pointed Inspector of Knitting with the workers of Mason 
County, which, of course, includes Maysville, under my juris- 
diction. I am proud to say we have been complimented and 
congratulated on our splendid work, and any work 0. K.'d 
by us is not inspected at headquarters. My nephew is in the 
navy. My cousin, whom we loved as one of closer kinship, 
volunteered for Y. M. C. A. work, and gloriously passed from 
its blessed and arduous duties into eternity's life, — for who 
would call such passing death? Of course, Liberty Bonds, 
Thrift Stamps, War Funds, Food Conservation are all tenets 
of my patriotic creed. Could I face the boys in khaki and say 
less? My catalogue is brief, — as nothing before the little 
cross in France that stands sentinel above the sanctuary of 
each young hero who gave the superlative gift of his life. I 
am more than glad to be enrolled in the new book and take 
pleasure in sending my initiation fee. Love to one and all. 

Sincerely, 

Emma Geisel Parry. 



New York City, 
December 11. 
Dear Sister: 

I was indeed pleased to hear from you and would like to 
be enrolled as a regular member of Brown County Alumnae, 
and enclose cheque for amount of dues. I have been greatly 
interested in War Work up to the present. Mr. Cassidy is 
also doing everything within his power. The enclosed refers 
to my father's employees in Cincinnati during the last drive. 
The Captain of the Team reported that the Sullivan Shoe 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 93 

Company is 100% in subscriptions by employees. They were 
addressed by Rev. Michael Ryan, S. J., and Mrs. B. O. Tread- 
way. All the employees knelt and recited the Lord's Prayer. 
I am very proud, Sister, of my sweet niece, Gertrude Sullivan, 
who was graduated from your Walnut Hills School last June. 
Kindly accept greetings and fondest love. Believe me, 
Affectionately, 

Mollie Sullivan Cassidy. 



Miss Louise Marsh, of Columbus, Ohio, Class of , 

who, with Mrs. Mary Reaume Drum, presided at the first 
Alumnae Meeting, June, 1910, is still at the Front, "Some- 
where in France", as a member of the New York Presbyterian 
Hospital Unit, and we are all very proud of her record during 
this terrible war. She has served almost continuously since 
1914, and has been cited for Bravery by the British. 
Her hospital has been at Etretat, France, but she has been 
transferred at times to different places as she was needed. 
Louise has made a brilliant record. She was graduated young, 
and after her debut made a brief winter of society in Columbus 
and then entered from choice the Presbyterian Hospital in 
New York, where she finally rose to the responsibility of 
head of the entire Surgical Department. At the outbreak of 
the European War, Dr. Blake of New York, cabled her to 
come over and assist him in the American Ambulance Hospital 
at Neuilly. After her winter there, Miss Marsh, returning to 
New York, was called upon to organize the Quarantine Hos- 
pital for Infantile Paralysis, at Islip, Long Island. Next she 
went with the bacteriologists on a scientific investigation trip 
to Brazil. Two weeks after her return found her a member of 
the Presbyterian Hospital Unit in France in which her brilliant 
powers and rare spirit soon attracted the notice of the authori- 
ties. One of her interesting letters is given here: 

Belgium, 
August 8, 1917. 
... I am now in Belgium at Casualty Clearing Station No. 
47, about six miles from the firing line. . . with Drs. Brewer 
and Darrick of our Unit, to assist at the British Casualty in 



ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



the Operating Theatre. . . In one twenty-four hours this 
Casualty Clearing handled one thousand wounded. 

The operating theatre has seven tables going as quickly 
as possible, and you may imagine what the scene is like. . . 
One day we started receiving at 9 A. M. and operated steadily 
until 4:30 next morning. I lay down in my clothes from 6 
P. M. until 9:30, then on again until midnight. I went to bed 
at 2 A. M., back again at 9 A. M. and worked until midnight, 
when there was a lull. We now wait until the next move. . . 

Briefly, to outline the general management, wounded are 
brought to a receiving tent, examined and distributed accord- 
ing to need, to dressing tent, pre-operating tent, resuscitation 
tent, then operating theatre. A railroad with hospital trains 
is a few yards away to carry down to the Base Hospital as 
occasion requires. It is a wonderful system really. Everything 
but the operating theatre is canvas. We are living in tents, 
sleeping on cots between blankets. The tents are waterproof, 
and after a week of rain we have managed to keep dry. Mud, 
Heavens, but the mud! You have read about the trenches and 
the mud, but here it is beyond anything anyone can imagine. 
. . . Some of the wounded tell of lying in mud and water for 
several days out in No Man's Land, and then reviving 
enough to crawl back, to be picked up by the stretcher bearers. 
The pre-operative ward is a ghastly sight, with some lying 
upon blood-filled stretchers, themselves soaked with mud and 
gore. One wonders if the world has gone mad! 

Last Sunday there was held in a tent, a service of Com- 
memoration and Intercession. . . We had a very wonderful 
address by a Presbyterian Minister from Glasgow, who is 
serving with the troops. The guns were booming away in 
the distance, and now and again one heard the whistle of a 
shell sailing overhead, and the ploop of its bursting. I am ex- 
periencing things at first hand, and as near the actual conflict 
as any women are allowed. 

We have been here two weeks and shall stay several 
more, then back to Base Hospital in France. . . It took us 
two days by motor to come here and it was a lovely journey, 
for the country in Flanders is as beautiful as in France. 

There is a trench back of our quarters for the nurses to 
get into in case we are shelled; and we have been provided 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 95 

with metal helmets as protection; also with a most efficient 
gas mask, in case our place is gassed. If anything of the kind 
happens, I should like to be done for quickly and entirely. 

The English Nursing Sisters are certainly wonders to 
have endured this life for several years, for the winters must 
be horrors, with the cold and discomforts of camp-life. 

While in London I purchased woolen stockings and a 
pair of "brogues" (very heavy leather boots), which have 
been a very great comfort in the operating room, where the 
floor gets muddy with the tramping in and out of the stretcher- 
bearers. We wear long rubber coats to work in, and one night 
I wore my galoshes over my boots. I have a German helmet 
for a souvenir. It is not a beautiful object, to be sure. We 
operated upon two of the "Fritzes" at our table. They are, 
of course, left until all of our men are finished, in the mean- 
time fed and well cared for. It was quite amusing when the 
first Fritz appeared; we peered at him as though the species 
were unknown; as a matter of fact, he looked just like the 
variety that walk the streets of New York. 

I am well, and very happy to be here doing my part. 
Good-bye for this time. 

Affectionately, 

Louise Marsh. 



Mrs. Florence Smith Van Cleve is a niece of Father Dutton 
who used to be always the center of a group of little children 
wherever he went, in the olden times at Brown County. For 
years he gave the Pupil's Course of Christian Doctrine, and 
was one of the loved and trusted advisers of the Community. 
The diaries and journals of those days frequently mention his 
name. It was Father Dutton who saved the situation at risk 
of his life when the gashouse caught fire. He came to St. 
Martin as Parish Priest in 1863, built the present brick church, 
consecrated in 1866, together with the St. Martin grave- 
yard, and remained in Brown County until 1882. Sister Mary 
remembers well the pew in which she sat the morning of that 



96 . ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

consecration, as Mary O'Keefe; she took the cap in a few 
months and, when the next year, the old frame church on 
the lower lawn was taken down, the cross on its tower was 
given into her charge and carefully stored away. Today it 
stands in the cemetery, where she still keeps her eye on it. 
Between the Foundresses, Notre Mere amd Ma Mere and 
Father Dutton there existed a loyal friendship that never was 
broken. He used to say daily Mass in the Nuns Infirmary 
for Notre Mere in her last days. To Mother Theresa and Mother 
Ursula he continued his kindnesses. Florence Smith Van 
Cleve is the child of his sister Mary, enrolled at Brown County 
in 1852. When she died, her sister, Mrs. Sallie Dutton Thomp- 
son, Class of 1862, now living in South Orange, New Jersey, 
took care of the child, who grew up at Brown County. 



Dear Sister: 



New York City, 
Thanksgiving Day, iqi8. 



I regret that after much forwarding, your letter reached 
me too late to write for the Year Book. I have, of course, 
tried to do my best during these stirring times. I have worked 
under the Red Cross Emergency Canteen, feeding the hungry 
hordes of soldiers in our two big stations here and especially 
on the docks. Our hours there were long and early, one-thirty 
A. M., until noon, sometimes, as most of our transports sailed 
at night. Such blessed work and such a "privilege! We were 
the last to see our boys as they embarked, and the first to 
greet the returning ones! I joined a unit going to England for 
the same work there, but two days before sailing date I caught 
the Spanish Flu, my unit sailed without me and I was done up 
for weeks, and then came Peace! Ten days ago, however, the 
Red Cross said women were still needed over there and so I 
expected to sail, but yesterday the government had a cable 
saying no more women were needed. I am disappointed but 
shall work here instead. Our boys are returning wounded, 
sick and well, by thousands so there is still work to do on the 
dock, giving the returning heroes hot coffee, cigarettes, and 
buns, which they hail. with such gratitude. Our men ready 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 97 

for overseas duty were an inspiration, — no men finer, I am 
sure, in all the world. Their strength, and best of all, their 
spirit, was wonderful! I am sure if William Hohenzollern had 
seen our boys embarking as we did, he would have weakened 
even sooner. Isn't it joyous to have it all over at last? Mrs. 
Mitchell, my cousin, Mrs. Pearl Lincoln Mitchell, made her 
sacrifice nobly when the war came to us — three sons, one grand- 
son, a son-in-law and a grand-son-in-law! All in it! and, thank 
God, all safe. It seems too good to be true. Winifred Jones 
Ovitt dined with me last night; we talked of Brown County 
and you. It was good to hear from you once more. . . I regret 
that I cannot claim tjie verses appearing in the Times 
under the name of Florence Van Cleve. I have been given 
credit for years, and I wish I could claim them. Please remem- 
ber me affectionately to all who recall this "old" pupil. 

Affectionately, 

Florence Smith Van Cleve, '97, E. de M. 



Mrs. Sara Liebke Hatton's answer to the challenge, 
"What War Work have you? was a photograph of a beautiful, 
curly-headed laddie of four and a half years, the younger of 
two, whose bright face, erect shoulders and strapping little 
legs augur well for the America of tomorrow. 

The colleges are not the only war-training schools. What 
of the nursery? says Mrs. Hatton. 



But the Babies, bless them! the Babies! The Babies held 
up a regular Hindenburg Line against War Work. What 
cared they for the Kaiser's advance! Just let him go 'till we 
get our khaki! shouted our new Alumnae Babies. And so they 
came, fighting their way into this big round world, and kick- 
ing with the joy of life, and shaking their fists at everything, 
and giving much promise of being better fighters than these 
mere fathers of theirs. Just give them a chance to get over 
the top ! . . . 



ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



And so, little Mothers, and little Mothers-to-be, whose 
letters are perhaps significantly absent, in the name of your 
country, we decorate you as the greatest War Workers of all. 

Mrs. Marguerite Ibold Broeman, 
Mrs. Mary Baird Ardery, 
Mrs. Clotilde Rampe Herschede, 
Mrs. Florence Maginnis Walsh, 
Mrs. Harriet Bartelme Tideman, 
Mrs. Viola Godbe Werk, 
Mrs. Lena Reichert-Renner, 
Mrs. Mary Lynch Shannon, 
Mrs. Alice Grever Hogan, 
Mrs. Josephine Clasgens Dittmar, 
Mrs. Florence Grever Ryan, 
Mrs. Mary Lynch Shannon, 

and indeed, all those who have not as yet made wireless con- 
nection with Brown County. . . The Central office for these 
deep secrets is the Chapel where prayers like "merchants 
most do congregate." 

It has been proposed to have a Baby Picture show for 
the Diamond Jubilee. Which is going to win the Croix de 
Guerre ? 



Chillicothe, 0., 
October, igi8. 
Dear Sister: 

I am sorry I am so late in answering your letter, but we 
have been having such terrible experiences over here for the last 
two weeks that everything else went out of my head. I refer 
to the awful epidemic at Camp Sherman. The cantonment 
is so close to us, just at the edge of town, and we were eye- 
witnesses to the awful tragedy, that is the only thing I can 
call it, for up to today over a thousand have died. As soon as 
the poor fellows died, their bodies were brought down-town 
to the undertaker's rooms, but as these rooms soon became 
too small the whole long square became a morgue. In a new 
theatre that had just been built, and across the street in a 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 



large garage were long, pitiful rows of the poor fellows, and 
along the street up and down every place were coffins. Sat- 
urday, Sunday and Monday were the three days we thought 
would never end, for those were the days of the crisis and we 
knew hundreds were dying out at camp and we couldn't do 
anything to help them. Sunday we could not even go to Church 
as all churches and places of public gatherings were closed, 
so we spent the whole day making face masks for the doc- 
tors, nurses and patients at the camp. I think we made about 
five thousand that day, and as their folding is quite intricate 
and a good deal of sewing to be done on them, we were quite 
proud of our work, and we were only too glad to have some- 
thing to occupy our minds. I think if the occurrences of those 
two weeks had been prolonged, half of our citizens would have 
had nervous prostration, as the soldiers themselves said, 
"this is war", and many of them I think would have preferred 
the trenches. The situation is much better now out at camp, 
but there is much sickness in town. 

I have belonged to the Red Cross ever since the War 
started, helping with masks, surgical dressings, etc., not the 
head of any organization, but just a willing worker; but the 
most work I have engaged in is something that is just peculiar 
to our town on account of the proximity of Camp Sherman. 
For instance, in August an appeal came from the Base Hospital 
to please help mend garments for the hospital, three thousand 
bath-robes alone, besides doctor's surgical aprons and thous- 
ands of pajamas, etc. We were taken out three times a week 
in Red Cross ambulances to the hospital, and finally finished 
them all. How happy we were to know that they were all 
ready for the poor fellows during the epidemic when they were 
needed so badly. Then we had no more than finished them 
when another appeal came from the camp to help mend 
fourteen thousand blouses for the soldiers. The new draftees 
are given these garments and then before they go overseas 
they are given new outfits, the blouses are heavy woolen shirts. 
We had just started at this work when the epidemic began, 
so we have that all ahead of us as we were not permitted to 
gather together to sew during the quarantine. I am also a 
solicitor for the Fourth Liberty Loan, and although I collected 
only the modest sum of a thousand dollars, it meant work, 



100 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

for the district I was given to canvass was in the poorer 
quarter of town. 

Two nephews, lieutenants in the Rainbow Division, are 
in France, and three cousins, one of whom is an aviator in 
Italy, are all fighting the good fight of our dear country. This 
all seems to me like boasting but if it is for the glory of Alma 
Mater I am content. There is so much I could have done 
and would have loved to have done during this epidemic, but 
I was suffering with a cold myself and was afraid to venture 
into camp. For instance, two Catholic ladies went out every 
night to the Knights of Columbus building and sat up all 
night attending to wants of the heart-broken relatives of the 
sick and dying soldiers. I was so sorry I could not go. 

Gertrude Cahill, '88, E. de M. 



BLESSING FOR A SCHOOL 

Lord Jesus Christ, who didst say to thy apostles: In 
whatsoever house ye enter, salute it, saying Peace be to this 
house; we ask that peace may come to this house destined 
for the teaching of children, and upon all its indwellers, 
teaching and learning in it; and do thou deign, Lord, Lord, 
to snatch and set them free from every harm; fill the teachers 
in this place with the spirit of knowledge and wisdom and 
thy fear; fill the pupils herein with thy grace, that what is 
fittingly and usefully taught, their intellect may grasp, 
their heart retain, and they may carry out in deed, and 
that in all thy name may be honored. 

Upon our entrance, therefore, deign to bless and 
sanctify this school, and within the walls of this house 
may the angels of thy light dwell and keep those who abide 
herein, those teaching and those learning. Who livest 
and reignest for ever and ever. Amen. 



The Oak Street graduates of the last four or five years 
have not been lacking in the patriotic spirit of Cincinnati. 
A bevy of bright little letters have come in from them: Alice 
Collins, Class of 19 17, is Children's Librarian at the Public 
Library and she writes: "I marched in the parade November 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 101 

thirteenth, with the American Library Association and I am 
a member of the Red Cross. I bought a Bond of the Second, 
Third and Fourth Liberty Loans, and am still buying Thrift 
Stamps: I have promised to pay one dollar a month to the 
War Chest, I would like to do more but other duties also 
call for attention. I hope to make the Retreat at Oak Street 
next week and to see the sisters again." 

Angela Moorman writes: "I have donated to the Red 
Cross and to the War Chest Fund and have Liberty Bonds 
and Thrift Stamps. I have done some work in the Quarter- 
master's Department as stenographer. I helped send out 
letters for a few days to recruit men for the marines. You 
certainly have my very best wishes for the success of the book. 

Zita Fallon says: "Outside of helping all I could during 
our different drives and writing on an average eight letters a 
week to friends "over there", my active service has been rather 
limited, to my sorrow. Girls my age were really just at the 
wrong age. You could not go abroad. "Oh, no, my dear, 
you're entirely too young!" I only wished I could have worn 
a high collar, plastered my hair and affected thirty-five! The 
only thing of interest I could show would be letters from over 
there, they certainly make one proud of our American boys. 
I just received a lovely letter from a boy, an aviator, who was 
wounded in four places, in flight over the enemy lines. " 

Adele Kipp says that now that the war is over she is cer- 
tainly glad of the little she did to help and only wishes she 
could have done more: "I was a member of the Good Samar- 
itan Red Cross Unit which met every Wednesday, and later, 
Thursday, too. I also assisted in the Red Cross Drives and 
did quite a bit of knitting. ..." 

Margaret White interested herself in the Red Star Animal 
Relief Society, inasmuch as the horse and mule were necessary 
for the winning of the war. " I did executive work and solic- 
iting for the Red Cross Drive and volunteer clinical work in 
the Americanization Society for Immigrants. My brother and 
three cousins are fighting for our country. " 



102 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

Edith Thoman wrote, too: "Of my two brothers in the 
army I am justly proud, and between writing faithfully to 
them, doing a little Red Cross work and studying at the 
University, my days have not been idle. I am always thankful 
that it does not take time to buy Liberty Bonds. But my 
work has not been extensive. I have not been one of the 
leaders of men, only part of the mass, shouting 'Lead, and I 
follow'." 



From Eleanor McDevitt we hear: "Besides attending 
classes at 'Varsity every day, (Cincinnati University) I have 
been acting as Society Editor of the Cincinnati Tribune. 
Sister, I fear my war 'Bit' will look rather meagre beside that 
of really energetic workers such as I know many of the Brown 
County Alumnae are. When War broke out I took a Nurse's 
Aid Course at the General Hospital, received my certificate 
and volunteered for foreign service, but when the Red Cross 
found I lacked five years of the required age they could not 
accept me. However, I was a member of the Good Samaritan 
Red Cross Unit and did clerical work for the War Chest Fund. 
Several weeks ago I applied at the Commercial for one of the 
drafted men's places. The editor was on the verge of accepting 
me when peace was declared, so instead of giving me a man's 
place he took me as Society Editor. I think a War Number 
pleases me immensely. It is surely a splendid and unique plan. 

Lovingly, 

Eleanor McDevitt. 



Philadelphia, 
December 8, iqi8. 
Dear Sister: 

You must have wondered why you did not hear from me, 
but I have not been at all well and in the war I've been able 
to do so little. I'm not worth a mention! Since I lost my hus- 
band, my mother, and last spring my darling grandson, I 
have been out of everything. Now I am better, and am house- 
keeping here, but it is not like home and the big house we are 
used to. The women of Philadelphia have been wonderful in 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 103 

every way. I have only been able to belong to a committee 
which has always done for the hospital at Neuilly, near Paris, 
now the American Military Hospital, N. T., and during the 
summer we worked and made thousands of dressings for the 
French wounded, the Red Cross not allowing us to take the 
work away from the rooms. I am one of the Emergency Aid. 
We are divided up into everything for all countries. Perhaps 
later I may send you a paper printed last month, for they are 
splendid workers. It seems an age since I was a child at dear 
Brown County! . . . Sister, I was only there three years, 
thirteen to fifteen, then I was sent to Europe. I hope some 
time to go to see you, but my journeys to Cincinnati are always 
sad ones. . . How differently we shall all look at death after 
this, — our wonderful soldiers have taught us that. With love 
to any Sisters who may remember me, and with many thanks 
for the little prayer, — I know and love it well, — and many 
excuses for not writing, I am 

Affectionately, 

Alice Van Antwerp Lea. 

Los Angeles, California, 
December 6. 
Dear Sister: 

Your request for a few lines has not been forgotten. I 
fully meant to surprise all Brown County by a faithful and 
glad compliance. But as my War Work was of a very modest 
sort, I waited, hoping, like the optimistic Mr. Micawber, 
that at the last moment something would turn up. And it 
did — -the Flu! . . . rendering me hors de combat for weeks and 
ending all hopes of a creditable showing in the Year Book or 
of adding a laurel to my beloved Alma Mater. That she needs 
not my meagre help the roster of her worthier daughters will 
amply testify. But if they also serve who only stand and 
wait, I proudly retire behind my fine young nephew, sole 
scion of our houses, now serving in the Chemical Warfare 
Division of the Engineer Corps, as proof that I have been so 
near the innermost soul of it all, that my heart still quakes 
at the recollection. May the Year Book be a pronounced 
success, show up the old girls in most patriotic guise, and 



104 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

bring credit galore to the dear Convent. I look forward to it 
with eager anticipation, hoping I am not in arrears in accounts, 
but "haeing ma doots, ma doots — " 

With love to all the nuns, the dear old trees, the buildings, 
the very grass. 

Ever most affectionately and gratefully, 

Betty M. Carter, '67, E. de M. 

Owensboro, Ky. y 

^ _, . December 3. 

Dear sister: 

Your letter about War Work was not received until 
Thanksgiving morning, when we returned home, after having 
been gone over two months. A month of that time I spent 
with Mr. Little at Mercy Hospital, — a severe case of influenza, 
contracted in Chicago. As to War Work, I have been on the 
wing practically all the time since I married. I don't think 
in the aggregate that we have spent two months here, I did, 
however, take the Surgical Dressings Course, and helped out 
at the Red Cross now and then, but aside from that, — nothing. 
As it happened, I was absent during each of the Drives. I 
am very proud though of three brother-in-laws, in service; 
one has been across four or five times, another, a Captain 
Physician at a First Aid hospital in France, and a 
third in training. And we all of course have bought Liberty 
Bonds, and subscribed to, and given clothing to the French 
and Belgians. But I am late and can only say that I am antici- 
pating your book with much pleasure. I trust you had a pleas- 
ant Thanksgiving, and with kindest wishes for the coming 
Holiday Season, 

I am sincerely, 

Elfie Schumann Little. 



Dear Sister: 



Cincinnati, Ohio, 
October 13, 1918. 



What a splendid idea to make the Book a War W'ork 
Number, for really there is nothing else one can put heart into 
these days. Your question, at the same time, makes me hide 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 105 

my diminished head, for the few knitted garments and surgical 
dressings I have done are negligible. But I would love to tell 
you what the Linwood Junior Red Cross has done as that 
organization is under my charge. 

On rainy days, when the children effervesce with original 
and acquired sin, and a crowded curriculum drives to mad- 
ness, one is sometimes inclined to think that laundry work 
or charring would be a rosy path of dalliance, compared with 
teaching. But just propose something that appeals to the 
children's generous impulses, . . . and the "trailing clouds of 
glory" are very evident. I know whereof I speak, for we 
enrolled 350 children, although the 25-cent fee meant rigid 
self-denial in many cases. In five months they knitted 47 
sweaters, 25 hemlets, 6 trench caps, 60 pairs of wristlets, 3 
pairs of socks, 2 ambulance blankets; and they made 14 utility 
bags, 10 comfort pillows, 5 semaphore flags, 12 complete lay- 
ettes, and collected 400 books for the camp libraries and several 
barrels of clothes for the refugees. Twenty-five garments in 
each layette occupied a good many children and they were 
dainty enough to delight any mother's heart. Some of the 
boys became expert knitters, but most of them devoted them- 
selves to oakum picking; they turned in 40 pounds. One 
hour a week of school time was given to the Red Cross; the 
rest of the work was ungrudgingly done in play time. We 
have seventy stars in the school service flag, and a monthly 
letter is written to each boy. At Xmas I got the names of 
some lonely soldiers, who would probably be forgotten, and 
we sent them Xmas boxes. Every one who put a gift in the 
box had either to earn the money to buy it, or deprive himself 
of something, yet gifts poured in until I peremptorily called a 
halt. One small girl brought a well-thumbed copy of AH Baba 
and the Forty Thieves, "because it's such a lovely story". 
I tried to make her see that little girls and soldiers have dif- 
ferent tastes in stories, but after four successive days of the 
same pitiful plea, I relented and slipped the book in. When 
the letter of thanks came and the boys found that one of their 
soldier-proteges was an Alaskan Indian, their boyish souls 
were filled with rapture. Candy is almost taboo in our school. 
. . . My cousin, Frank McHugh Ferguson, Lieut., only nineteen, 
. . . has been assigned as Military Instructor at the University 



106 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

of Wisconsin. . . but longing for overseas service. . . I've written 
at length because I've been riding my hobby, . . . please blue- 
pencil it, . . . How does it feel to go to Mass on Sunday?. . . 
I find sleeping late on Sundays gives an uncanny sort of feeling 
. . . the epidemic seems now to be under control. . . Give 
Mother Superior and every one my warmest love. I shall be 
so anxious to see the Year Book to know what our Alumnae 
are doing. It is sure to be something fine! Believe me always 

Affectionately, 

Florence McNamara, E. de M., '91. 

P. S .— I asked Mama "What War Work, shall I tell Sister 
you have done?" and for answer she produced the enclosed 
clipping: 

This message to my soul was brought, 

"Thy proud ambitions from thee fling, 
Renounce what seems the loftier lot, 
And do the lowlier thing." 



So I put down the brush and pen, 

And straightway to the kitchen sped; 

I scoured the pots and pans and then 
I baked the daily bread. 

And somehow when the work was done 
And home-folk sat them down to eat, 

I felt as though a crown I'd won 
And Duty's praise was sweet. 



As a matter of fact, Mama (Mrs. Ella Ferguson Mc- 
Namara) has done a very practical work. You know she is 
a marvelous bread-maker, and when the Government asked 
that substitutes for wheat flour be used, she worked out some 
simple recipes for War Bread that is a joy and a delight. We 
had a number of copies made and distributed to homes where 
people wanted to meet the Government's requirements, but 
did not know how. 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 107 

Tuscaloosa, Ala., 
Sunday, October, igi8. 
Dear Sister: 

Your letter was so welcome and I will certainly contribute 
my mite towards the Year Book. 

First of all, my oldest son, Capt. Shiras A. Blair, Junior 
Aviator and Chief Engineer of Ebert's Aviation Field,Lonoke, 
Ark., has been in service three years, finishing his aviation 
training at Mineola, N. Y., in class with Lieut. Quentin Roose- 
velt. He is still in this country doing expert work Oliver 

Peter Blair is preparing for the navy. The Hospital Garment 
Department of the Tuscaloosa Chapter of the Red Cross is 
under my supervision as Chairman. Then too, I am a Four- 
Minute-Man, for all patriotic work. My two girls are married 
and each has a daughter. They are interested in Red Cross 
work. Our Chapter is a very nourishing organization. We have 
the second floor of our large, well furnished Federal Building 
and occupy the different rooms with the various branches of 
the work. My only brother gave his life for his country during 
the last Liberty Loan Campaign, — pneumonia from exposure 
in working for the Campaign, as his bank had charge. . . All 
economies of the government are ours. We can do so little 
compared with what our boys at the front do, — we do it most 
cheerfully. The University of Alabama is just up the street 
from us; out there, there are nearly five hundred select men, 
and over a thousand students, so we will be busy this winter. 
Please remember me to my teachers and friends. 

Sincerely yours, 

Edna Shiras Blair. 

Martinsburg, W. Va., 
October 6, iqi8. 
My dear Sister: 

I am very glad to tell you of my War Work, though it 
is very commonplace and not at all thrilling. Of course, I 
have been working at the Red Cross rooms ever since the 
Chapter was organized, and I really enjoy making the surgical 
dressings. I do this at least one day a week, and knit all odd 



108 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

moments between times. This summer we have had a wonder- 
ful garden, and I have preserved, canned, pickled, and 
catsuped, till every jar, can, bottle is filled, and I swell with 
pride when I view the result. The Chapter of D. A. R. to which 
I belong has adopted a French orphan and is knitting for the 
Destroyer Stribling, named for the admiral of that name 
born in Martinsburg. As a family, we are not enthusiastic 
about corn bread, but we have a collie dog that must be fed 
something so he uncomplainingly eats the "Substitute". Mr. 
McLanahan's business, superintending limestone quarries 
whose output is used in making steel, necessitated an auto- 
mobile last Sunday, during which ride I felt like sitting on the 
floor of the car, I was so ashamed to be seemingly breaking 
the gasless Sunday. Will you please tell me what dues I owe, 
as I don't want to miss the Year Book. It is the only Brown 
County news I ever hear, as I never meet any of the girls. 
I have a nephew and a cousin in the army in France and 
another nephew in the eighteen-year-old class, as wireless 
operator. . . I hope this will answer all your questions. 
Affectionately, 

Genevieve Hesser McLanahan. 



Louisville, Ky., 
October ig. 
My Dear Sister: 

These are indeed busy days. . . I have given my mornings 
since school closed for the influenza to the War Kitchen, 
making wine jelly and other things for the sick soldiers at 
Camp Zachary Taylor. Every minute of last school year was 
crowded to the utmost, as from September till June, I was 
Secretary to the Chairman of the Junior Red Cross of Louis- 
ville, and had complete charge of this work in 15 schools. 
At close of school when the work was inspected and the report 
sent in, we were astonished at the work the little children had 
done. The school of which I had charge sent two hundred 
complete baby outfits, even hoods and jackets . . . The color 
scheme was pale blue, and I am sure if I saw a Belgian baby 
in one of our outfits I should certainly adopt it on the spot! 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 109 

. . . carry it around in my knitting bag, I suppose. . . In my 
free time I go around with a sock in my hand, like dear old 
Mother Berchmans, — or perhaps a sweater tucked under 
my arm. . . sometimes it is hard to tell which works faster, 
my needles or my tongue. Mother Berchmans was right 
when she said a woman's education was not complete until 
she learned how to knit. My first was so small it was dainty 
for a debutante instead of a husky soldier, . . . then I ripped 
it out and this time it came out big enough for a giant. . . 
you know when Mary Gale Cawthon begins to talk she is 
like a barrel going down hill, it is impossible to stop her. I do 
hope that all this dreadful war will soon be over with its suf- 
ferings and sorrows, and we can all have a good old time 
reunion with those we love at Brown County. 
Devotedly, 

Mary Gale Cawthon, E. de M. 



Cincinnati, Ohio, 
October iy, igi8. 
My Dear Sister: 

Last spring the Red Cross used the Loring Andrews Co. 
as headquarters for the Drive. So we decided to form a Unit 
of our own. Mrs. Donaldson, the Secretary of the Stage 
Women' sWar Relief Committee was in the city and she sug- 
gested that we make vests for aviators. Through the daily 
papers we made a drive for old kid gloves. The gloves and 
scraps of leather poured in in showers from Cincinnati and 
neighboring towns in Ohio and Kentucky, until we were 
deluged! Mr. Fenton kindly donated his services cleaning 
them. We piece the gloves on a white muslin lining, using gray 
or khaki colored canton flannel for the outer surface; then 
we bind them together with braid and this makes a perfectly 
wind-proof garment which the boys wear under their sweaters. 
Our next shipment will be to an Aviation Field in Texas, as 
the boys sent a special request. My brother Mark is 
Commanding Officer of the inth Mobile Ordnance Repair 
Shop. His repair shop is just behind the lines in France, and 
the trucks they uSe in this work are marvels. They carry a 



110 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

lathe, drill press, air compressors, air and electric drills, oxy- 
acetylene welding outfits, and their own electric lighting 
plant. This outfit is capable of repairing anything, from a 
pair of shoes to a large field gun or a motor truck. The pa- 
triotism and ingenuity of our men calls for an equal response 
on our part, although our tasks are meagre. . . I sincerely 
trust that all the good nuns are well. . . 

Affectionately, 

Lucille Carroll. 



BLESSING FOR AN INFANT 

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who 
begotten before all ages, didst however, choose to be born 
in time as an infant, and lovest the innocence of that age; 
who didst tenderly embrace and bless the little children 
that were presented to thee; deign to prevent this child with 
the blessings of sweetness, and grant that wickedness may 
not alter its understanding, and that increasing in age, 
wisdom and grace, it may always please thee; who livest 
and reignest forever. Amen. 

— The Layfolks Ritual. 



A number of notes have come in from busy wives and 
mothers who have best served their country by 

"Keeping the Home Fires Burning." 

Sickness, and the thousand household cares, that only 
a mother shoulders, have kept this brave little army, — never, 
thank God, to be mustered out — close at their sentinel post — 
the American Home. 

Mrs. Jennie Freschard Wagner writes, and Airs. Ada 
Boyle Wetterer, and Miss Gertrude Hulsman, and Mrs. 
Katherine Elster Kelley; and besides these Mrs. Margaret 
Hurd Davis of Denver, Mrs. Blanche Thomas Harris, and 
Mrs. Katrina Aull Enneking of Cincinnati, Mrs. Frances 
of Hamilton, O., Miss Alice Vattier of Cincinnati, Mrs. Frances 
Seymour Walsh and Miss Amelia, of Cincinnati, Mrs. Nettie 
Green Maguire and Mrs. Josie Daly Anderson of St. Louis, 
and Mrs. Virginia Walker Martin of Hot Springs, Ark. 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 111 

Mrs. Grace Kehoe Grace, with her sister Winifred, made 
her First Communion at Brown County in the nineties under 
Mother Agnes' care. They are half sisters of Libbie Kehoe, 
(E. de M., June 8, 1877) who later became Sister Mary Basil, 
beloved of all who knew her. She died in 1908. Their father 
was Mr. Laurence J. Kehoe of the Catholic Publication 
Society, who brought his children to Brown County from New 
York, saying he understood it was the best school in the 
country. He was one of the vigorous pioneers of the Catholic 
Press in this country and was always a favorite visitor at the 
Convent, staying always at the Priest House, a rare privilege. 

Brooklyn, N. Y. 
October 18. 
Dear Sister: 

Your letter gives rise to a flood of memories and brings 
to mind vividly the contrast in our home today as compared 
with our home two years ago when you were in New York. 
The four-star service flag in our window explains the quiet of 
our home now, for not only did our own four boys rush off 
at their country's first call, but also their chums, those many 
fine lads who were in the habit of gathering here in jolly groups 
each evening. All are serving Uncle Sam on land or sea. The 
letters are so wonderfully interesting, it makes one feel that 
the very most we can do here is little compared to what they 
are so cheerfully doing. As the 106th Machine Gun Battalion, 
with which Frank and Albert are identified, is composed 
largely of Brooklyn boys, we have a very active Women's 
Auxiliary, and I may say we have been doing some good work. 
Through special privilege granted us by the French Consul, 
we are this week shipping to our boys six hundred dollars' 
worth of socks, all knitted by members or friends of the 
Auxiliary. From time to time we send quantities of cigarettes, 
soap, and chocolate, and at Xmas each boy receives from 
us a box of gifts and a five-dollar gold piece. We aim to keep 
something under way all the time. I devote one day each week 
to canteen service for the Knights of Columbus, it is most 
interesting, as it brings us in contact with boys from all sec- 
tions of the country. Mr. Grace is doing his bit in the selling 



112 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

of Bonds. Having been made Chairman of the Brooklyn 
Division of his line of business, he has made the highest record 
for sales for each loan and is still at it. You mentioned gaso- 
line conservation. When our smiling chauffeur, who had been 
with us for six years, left for camp remarking that he would 
not say goodby because he intended to come back to run 
that car again, we simply bid the auto a sad farewell and 
placed it in storage until the boys come home, which, God 
grant, will be soon. I feel confident that all of our splendid 
boys have the earnest prayers of the Brown County nuns to 
bring them safely and speedily home, so that the Convent 
Diamond Jubilee may also be one of thanksgiving. With 
best love to all the nuns, in which Mr. Grace joins, I am, 

Sincerely, 

Grace Kehoe Grace. 



And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the 
Marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus 
saith: They have no wine. And Jesus saith to her: Woman, 
what is it to me and thee? My hour is not yet come. His 
Mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to 
you, do ye. 

— John II, 2-4. 



Highland Park, Chicago, 
October 17. 
Dear Sister: 

I am very late in answering, . . . but just unfortunate 
circumstances. . . I am enclosing a little picture of our daughter 
Eileen in uniform. She belongs to the Illinois Motor Corps, an 
organization of young girls who give the use of their cars, 
and services and provide gasoline for a number of days each 
week for the services of the government; most interesting work, 
sometimes for the Food Commission, the Liberty Loan and 
the like. And always called upon to drive for the many dis- 
tinguished persons who have come to town, for instance, the 
Blue Devils, the Italian Commission, the French Legionaires. 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 113 

Mr. Kelly has his finger in many pies; but I believe I am 
prouder of his being President of the Associated Catholic 
Charities Organization. He is Vice-President of the Military 
Training Association of the U. S. A., Chicago Branch; a mem- 
ber of Executive Committee National Security League, and 
Vice-President of the War Exposition recently held here. 
And poor "mater" can only plead being on the War Camp 
Community Service Board, and just one of the sewers in the 
garment department of the Red Cross. All members of a 
family cannot be brilliant, so I just do my knitting and put 
to use the very good training in sewing which I thank dear 
Brown County for. You ask about Mamie; they live in Green- 
wich, New York, now, having left the Isle of Wight at the 
outbreak of the war. The name of Schultze was safer in 
America than on the wee island. Give my very best love to 
all my dear friends who may remember me. Wishing you 
all success in your interesting War Book, 

Sincerely yours, 

Irene Sullivan Kelly. 



Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 
October 22. 
Dear Sister: 

When Guy, Sr., came home the other day and handed 
me the small dainty envelope, I thought, "Oh, my, an invita- 
tion to a real party, but when I saw the writing my heart-beat 
increased, for I was hungry for a word from "old Brown 
County"; and it seemed strange, for I had been thinking of 
you all so very much the past few days and wondering what 
effect the war had had upon the school. I hope I am not too 
late, though I really have not much to say, for just a year ago 
we moved from Ohio to Florida, where we had already spent the 
two previous winters as tourists. It was a hard move to make 
to leave our childhood friends and surroundings, but the 
winters were too severe. . . so we decided to go to a warmer 
climate. I have not been very well, so have not been very 
active in Red Cross or any line of War Work, though I have 
done quite a bit of knitting for the Red Cross and Navy 



114 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

League; sweaters, wristlets, scarfs, and helmets. I have never 
had the courage to start a sock. I have made hospital shirts 
and have fitted up several "kit bags". We all own Liberty 
Bonds and War Savings Stamps, and have done our utmost 
to conserve food and to help Uncle Sam win this war and put 
the Hun down forevermore. We have given clothes for the 
sufferers, in fact, there is not a branch of this war work but 
what we have contributed to. A brother too who is on a Navy 
Transport, U. S. S. City of South Haven. The idea of a War 
Work Number is great, and I am crazy to get mine. Could 
you send me two? And do write soon and tell me all the Con- 
vent news. Give my love to Mother Gabriel, Mother Margaret 
Mary and all the nuns, and I hope to see you all again some- 
time. 

Lovingly, the same old 

Mame Brown Williams. 



Ann Arbor, Mich., 
October iq, igi8. 
Dear Sister: 

It will be lovely to know what all the Brown County 
girls are doing to help win the war. . . . Last winter and spring 
I was at the head of a girls' knitting club, meeting several 
times a week. There were fifteen of us and we made many 
sweaters, helmets, socks and wristlets, working very steadily 
in between meetings, too, ready to hand in our full share of 
finished articles each time a shipment was made. Though 
my studies at Ann Arbor will keep me quite busy this winter, 
I have signed up for as much war work as possible. Perhaps 
you would be interested to hear what our first tiny bit of 
help up here has been. The Influenza is very bad, ... so the 
Red Cross has undertaken the task of making thousands of 
Flu masks for the students; oblongs of gauze or linen of 
several thicknesses worn over the mouth and nose, and tied 
with tapes around the head, and are to be worn everywhere, 
in class, on the street, and at home, to keep the disease from 
spreading. The Red Cross made and distributed five thousand 
on the campus yesterday, but six thousand more are needed 
for tomorrow. Their effect is ludicrous. The wearers look like 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 115 

the Ku Klux Clans of old. This had been my first War Work 
in Ann Arbor, so I am afraid my account now is not very 
important, but I am hoping to do at least as much this season 
as I did last. I belong as a student of the Music School 
to a Hospital Entertaining Corps. With love to you, Sister 
Josephine and all, I am 

Affectionately, 

Mary Elizabeth Ambrose, '15, E. de M. 

of Logan, Ohio. 

Marietta, Ohio, 
October 20. 
Dear Sister: 

Your note came just as I was leaving Wilmington, Del., 
last Wednesday, for it had been forwarded. Only Thursday 
I reached home. It seems as though the desire I always had 
to be a nurse came at an opportune time. Under the circum- 
stances, the Johns Hopkins Training School has put me down 
as a Graduate Nurse at the very time when I am most needed. 
Otherwise this war might be over before I could have a hand 
in it. Hopkins is not taking any returned wounded men and 
probably will not. It is, however, sending out a great many 
doctors and nurses. One Unit went overseas in May, 19 17, 
and has done good work at Base Hospital No. 18. Another 
Unit of nurses is now waiting to be sent overseas. In my class 
of sixty-eight, thirty-eight at least had signed for service by 
January, 1919. They include your humble servant and your 
Brown County Girl of 19 12. I shall go overseas probably 
about March or April. I can hardly wait. Of course it is no 
life of ease and luxury but that is a small matter when there 
is so much at stake. And after all this old world is still worth 
living in and for, and worth helping others to live in and for. 
The grammatical censor will not pass that sentence, I know! 
But when the Kaiser and a few more no longer have the pleasure 
of trying to make the world go around, it will be even more 
worth while. Then we may all go back to Brown County and 
have a wonderful reunion. To that time I am looking forward 
and when I think of it, I unconsciously plan and plan until, 
— well I come to myself and decide to come back to earth for 



116 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

the present. In France I have a brother, other Brown County 
girls have too, — why should not I be there, in case any of 
those Brown County brothers, husbands, and lovers, need me! 
And so, — I'm going over! And I won't be back till its over 
"over there!" I did not intend to rave so, you will have to 
use the surgeon's knife on what I have written, so good-night. 
With the best of love. 

Devotedly, 

Elizabeth Jones, '12. 

Down South in Texas there is a church that has a parish 
Service Flag. . . but, "it wears its rue with a difference.". . . 
It is a Service Flag of the Church Militant. There are the 
Papal colors, white and yellow, and there are three gold 
crosses for the young men studying for the priesthood, and 
ten virgin blue crosses for the young girls who have entered 
religious communities. 

Brown County, too, has its Virgin Blue Crosses: 

Two Carmelites, 
Two Visitandines, 
Three Sacred Heart Religious, 
One Providence Sister, 
Three Sisters of Charity, 
Two Notre Dame Sisters, 
One Dominican, 
One Sister of Mercy, 
Forty-five Ursulines. 
Almost one a year. 



New York, 
November 4. 
Dear Sister: 

The work I am doing is taking every second of my time. 
I am a student at Columbia, taking a course to fit me for a 
teacher of ( ) Therapy in a Military hospital. The work 

is perfectly fascinating, it is an intensive course of four months, 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 117 

and I hope then either to be sent abroad or to one of our base 
hospitals here. My one brother, Laurent, is overseas, a Cap- 
tain in the 30th Engineers. My older brother is also a Captain. 
My sister is fitting herself for government work. I am afraid 
we haven't time for knitting. Mother does her share, though. 
I am so anxious to see the Year Book and learn of all the 
wonderful things our Brown County girls are doing. Fond 
love to all the dear nuns, From 

Nell Lowenberg. 

Mrs. Freschard is always called "Mother Freschard" 
by the nuns who all love her dearly. A joyous word goes 
around the house when she arrives with her cheery smile and 
a pack like Santa Claus, which grows bigger with each visit. 
Though her fingers are never idle she has written no War 
Letter; she knitted garments galore for the soldier boys, but 
had not time to write about it. Last Christmas her usual 
hundred dollar check was sent to the convent and gratefully 
received, and this year she had also a box of candy for each 
sister for New Year's, sent with this note: 

Owensville, Ohio. 
Dear Good Sister Mary: 

The candy is to distribute to all my dear friends. I hope 
all will enjoy it. I take great pleasure in sending it, with a 
car full of love for each one, and be sure that every one gets 
her just share. I wish I could be with you but so many things 
are to happen Holiday Week that I cannot say if I can get 
over at all. Jennie and her entire family are coming for a 
few days. You know I will if I can. The enclosed bill is to 
help you keep our beloved cemetery looking respectable. 

With oceans of love, and a happy and joyful Christmas 
to one and all, 

Ever sincerely, your old and true friend, 

Mary Gomier Freschard. 

She was one of the earliest pupils at Brown County, 
entered there in 185 1, when the nuns were living in a small 
house down on the lower lawn. Her father helped the little 



118 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

band of French nuns in the beginning in the days when these 
intrepid women used to wash the clothes in Solomon's Run. 
Mrs. Freschard's four daughters are just as loyal Alumnae as 
their mother, Mrs. Jennie Freschard Wagner of Sidney, being 
at present Recording Secretary of the Association. The 
others are Mrs. Matilda Freschard von Weller, Toledo, Miss 
Mary Freschard and Miss Clara Freschard, E. de M., '89 of 
Owensville, whose war letter follows. 

Owensville, Ohio. 
Dear Sister: 

Just a few words about the Owensville Branch of the 
Red Cross of which I have the honor to be Secretary and 
Treasurer. Our work has consisted of surgical dressings of 
all kinds, hospital and refugee garments, property bags and 
knitting, — and comfort kits! We are justly proud of them for 
they are pretty and complete, and in the camps as well as 
"Somewhere in France" have been greatly admired. W T e 
have accomplished splendid work and have established a 
reputation for promptness, efficiency and "perfect socks". 
Perhaps it would amuse you to hear why I made my 
first pair of socks. When the last pair came in to 
fill our quota I was in despair. I really think it measured 
eighteen inches from heel to toe, and one lady declared it 
was only fit to send to the Kaiser. However, we ripped it 
and I went to work. Socks have no terrors for me now. They 
tell me Red Cross work is my "hobby". But I'll prove that 
I can stop writing about it. So with love to all the dear nuns, 
Always, 

Clara Freschard, '89 E. de M. 

Los Angeles, Cat., 
September 19, 1918. 
Dear Sister: 

. . . The young woman's society of our church, aside from 
(Episcopalian) their usual church duties, devoted much of 
their time last winter to Red Cross work. We made several 
hundred knitted garments, and by sewing two days in the 
week, made thousands of surgical dressings. I applied myself 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 119 

also to a brief stenography course, and became Volunteer 
Secretary in the office of the Department of Hospital Gar- 
ments and Military Relief at Red Cross Headquarters. This 
summer, auxiliary ladies have patched and mended ten 
thousand soldier garments sent down from Camp Kearney, 
and more are coming in constantly. . . When for a brief period 
this office was closed for repairs and additions, I had the 
pleasure of serving in a clerical capacity in special work at 
the Society for Relief of Fatherless Children of France. It 
is a splendid and well organized work. As I ticked off on the 
typewriter the names of those helpless little Pierres and Maries 
and Renes, my heart echoed a prayer for those fatherless babes 
across the sea, and another for the kind donor who is helping 
them to live in spite of the Hun. 

I hesitate to mention as service my appearance as Reader 
on Red Cross programs, for I feel I am just having a good time 
when I do that. I am told that the Los Angeles Red Cross 
Shop and Tea Rooms are famous throughout the country. 
The Shop idea originated here. Every one who can do a stunt 
considers it an honor to appear on their programs. Probably 
the climax of my happiness in doing my "Bit" came with a 
recent request to appear as Reader on a concert program to 
be given on March Aviation Field. March Field is about 
twenty miles from Riverside, at an elevation of nearly two 
thousand feet. Our entertainment was given in the evening 
in the Y. M. C. A. club house, which consists of a large recrea- 
tion hall, library, and billiard room. All the camp buildings 
are of vast proportions, especially the hangars, sheltering their 
shining ships of the air. The night was delightfully mysterious 
... a brilliant half moon and the evening star. . . California's 
skies are always blue, even at night. . . and there just for a 
moment one of the great ships of the air flashed its silvery 
wings and disappeared. Our program was a great success. 
Our audience of splendid boys, with bright, eager faces, in- 
spired our best efforts, and "taps" sounded all too soon. We 
are planning programs for other camps in our vicinity through- 
out the winter. . . my knowledge of French has been helpful, 
for I have been able to translate letters from France to sorrow- 
ing Canadian mothers of my acquaintance; — letters from 
households of the simple French people where these mothers' 



120 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

soldier-sons were billeted. Then there are the citations for 
bravery that come from our American boys, — It is a joy to 
translate them for proud mothers. You see my service is not 
big, just whatever comes to hand. . . but then we cannot all 
be Generals. Some of us must fill up the ranks. I enclose a 
piece that is most effective when well recited. Have the 
Marseillaise played softly at the end. . . Fondest love to all 
my Brown County friends. 

Affectionately, 

Adelaide Brevoort Cannon. 

Owensville, Ohio. 
October 24. 
Dear Sister: 

You wish to hear about the part I have taken in War 
Work. It has not been such an active one, owing to the many 
duties of a large household, but I feel that I am doing my 
"bit" by sending two sons to serve their country, . . . and a 
third son, Louis, registered in August. . . Give my love and 
good wishes to all the dear nuns. 

Lovingly, 

Mary Arnold Favret. 



Dear Sister: 



Cincinnati, Ohio, 
October y. 



"Speak of an angel — !" you know the old saying. I have 
been thinking of you all so often these last days and only 
this morning resolved to write to Mother Gabriel. . . I have 
two brothers in service. . . one on submarine patrol duty 
along the Pacific Coast and now at Puget Sound. My husband 
is doing government work, making shafts for torpedo boats 
with the Pollak Steel company. So he is doing his bit, too. 
We are the fond possessors of a War-Bride, — Mr. Folsom's 
sister, married in June. My little girl, just two years old, 
requires a great deal. of attention, so I have done little war 
work. We have contributed financially toward the Red Cross 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 121 

and have Bonds and War Stamps. I have made some little 
garments for French orphans, as I can bring these home to 
sew. This, I am afraid is about all I can lay claim to as my 
part of the work. Betty has a little service pin with three 
stars for her uncles. When asked what they are doing she says 
"Till Tiser". My best love to you all. Though I grow old 
and decrepit, I shall always have a lasting gratitude for my 
dear Brown County nuns. 

Affectionately, 

Louise Gough Folsom. 



On February 22, 1919, his soul fortified by the Sacraments 
of the church, died in the hospital at Savenay, France, Cap- 
tain Lawrence Brasher of the American Engineer Corps, 
after braving fire on the West Front in several battles. The 
mother of this hero is Mrs. Ellen O'Driscoll Brasher, E, de M., 
and his sisters, Mrs. Jessie Brasher Browne, and Mrs. Gail 
Brasher Parsons, '99. His aunt is Mother Angela, Superior 
of Brown County Convent. 



Cincinnati, Ohio, 
October 16. 
Dear Sister: 

Our Alumnae officers had a splendid idea when they 
decided to make the War Work Year Book. . .1 am trying to 
do my part, but wish I could be over there with the boys. 
Three of my cousins are in the service. I helped in the Red 
Cross, Second War Fund Drive last May, going from house 
to house, and found the people very willing to give. I am a 
member of St. Mark's Church Red Cross Unit, a branch from 
the Good Samaritan, making surgical dressings every Tuesday 
evening. I have done a great deal of knitting. . . and that is 
about all, but I hope it has helped some and that Victory 
and Peace will soon be ours. With love, . . . Sincerely, 

Olivia Meyer Langford, '01, E. de M. 



122 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

Mrs. Eliza Miller Joyce, whose granddaughter Mrs. 
Sheldon is, was one of the Honorary Presidents of the Alum- 
nae; one of the old and revered pupils and mother of two 
generations of pupils: Mrs. Margaret Joyce Church, Mrs. 
Mary Joyce Byrne, E. de M., '78, and Mrs. Lucille Joyce 
Hagerty, E. de M.; and Mrs. Ruth Church Sheldon and 
Mrs. Eliza Church Merrill of New Jersey. 

Montclair, N. /., 
October /, 1918. 
Dearest Sister: 

I cannot attempt to write of my War Work because my 
efforts have all been of a gray sameness, and lack all thrill of 
romance. I have no people under me, I am under them. I 
visit the Red Cross and make surgical bandages. I have learned 
to make quite a variety and enjoy it. You can see your prog- 
ress in neat little piles that grow tangible fact before your 
eyes. Then, while I am folding little squares, my wild imagina- 
tion muses over the wounded that these may bring comfort 
to, — the more pictures I make the faster I work and the longer 
I stay. At the Women's Stage War Relief I have hemmed baby 
blankets for tiny Belgian refugees, — those helpless mites 
struggling for a foothold on the earth amid such terrifying 
obstacles! I have entered my name for canteen service but 
there is a long waiting list, and I have not yet been called. 
So this is all too tame to be interesting. The real sacrifice made 
in the family has been by my brother, Harden Church. He 
enlisted early in the war as a stretcher-bearer, as that branch 
of the service made a strong appeal to his sympathetic nature. 
He writes that the French are crazy over the American soldiers, 
and "think we are the gamest soldiers in the world." He 
tells of a hospital near (in France, of course) for shell-shock 
troops, and that their condition is pitiful; they tremble all 
over and some of them can hardly talk. Harden promised to 
give them a concert after being assured that the music would 
not upset their nerves. They are so hungry for music. . . How 
much back dues do Eliza and I owe. . . we never think of it, 
I am sorry to say. . . We have not received our notices. 
Lovingly, 

Ruth Church Sheldon, '04, E. de M. 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 123 

Norfolk, Fa., 

October 23. 
Dear Alumnae: 

Am I too late for a few words ? After the peace of nations 
is secure, I may find myself famous as possessor of ^culinary 
talent by no means suspected. We Southern women have 
lived long under care of a colored servant class now vanishing 
under our very eyes. For me, conservation is easy. My prob- 
lem is — cook something that can be eaten ! . . . That, and the 
effort to make a warlike husband resigned to stay at home, 
have been my chief war work. It is hard to be out of things 
in this city of ours grown up in the past year, — grown in spirit, 
too. A few years ago an enlisted man was not allowed in our 
theatres and today the man in uniform is the honored guest 
in our homes. I have entertained at my table besides our own 
men, Scotch and English sailors and soldiers from far-away 
New Zealand on their way to the front. Norfolk's combina- 
tion of Naval Base, Army Base and Aviation Station is the 
biggest achievement of its kind in the country. The women 
have work here, and the Catholic women. . . Perhaps the 
most interesting is our local branch of the Chaplain's Aid. . . 
The sight of a thousand sailors kneeling at the early Mass in 
the big Auditorium of the Naval Base is one never to be for- 
gotten, and just as impressive in a smaller way, the Mass in 
the Y. M. C. A. Hut, with the courteous Y. M. C. A. Secre- 
tary helping the ladies arrange the flowers. Here we women 
go distributing khaki-bound Bibles, books, rosaries and scapu- 
lars to the grateful men. The Chaplain's Aid Association 
Bulletin lists thousands of scapulars, rosaries, books, given. 
"A superb box of linens, one hundred and sixty pieces, marked, 
laundered and packed in so workmanlike a manner as to be 
ready for immediate use", etc., etc. 

I must tell you that our Women's Auxiliary of the Catholic 
War Council led the women of Norfolk in the Fourth Liberty 
Loan Campaign. Under the brilliant leadership of Miss May 
Brooke, we turned in a report of a quarter of a million dollars, 
all secured from passing street crowds, the women not being 
allowed to canvass the city, which was thoroughly blocked 
out and worked by the men. 



124 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

Of my own family my two young sisters hold government 
positions with the U. S. S. Shipping Board, my brother with 
the Hoover Administration in Washington, my brother-in- 
law, Capt. G. W. Simpson, commands one of the big new 
destroyers, and seven cousins are in the Army and Aviation 
in Italy, France, England and Russia. 

What more can we ask today than to be women, Amer- 
icans, and Alumnae of Brown County? 

Kate Massie Ryan Barron, '04, E. de M. 



BLESSING FOR RAILROADS AND SHIPS 

Almighty Eternal God, who hast bestowed all the 
elements for thy glory and the use of man, deign we beseech 
thee to bless this railroad and its instruments and to keep 
it always in thy kind providence, so that while thy servants 
go swiftly upon their way, walking in thy law and running 
in the way of thy commandments they may deserve to come 
happily to the Heavenly country. Through Christ Our Lord. 
Amen. 

— Priests Book of Ritual. 

. . . Bless with thy holy hand this Ship and all who are 
carried in it, as thou didst deign to bless the Ark of Noah, 
breasting the flood; extend to them thy hand as thou didst 
extend it to Blessed Peter walking on the sea; and send 
thy holy angel from Heaven who will free and keep it 
always from every peril with all those who are in it: assist 
thy servants to their desired havens with a peaceful voyage, 
repelling all adversities, and in the lapse of time, when 
all tasks have been completed and rightly done, do thou 
deign joyfully to recall them to their own country. Who 
livest and reignest forever. Amen. 

— Priests Book of Ritual. 



Bronxville, N. Y. 
November 22. 
Dear Sister: 

Your letter for accounts of my War Work was received 
just a few days before poor Pearl's sudden death, (Mrs. Pearl 
Robinson Lamkin, '98) and of course during that time all 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 125 

else was forgotten. . . I am sorry to say my three boys are too 
young to go, although we have had them at military school 
for several years. Thank God the war has not lasted. My 
husband is too old, so you see I had no sacrifices to make 
like so many others for whom my heart aches. Poor Olie! 
She was here with me just before her husband sailed. But I 
hope he will come back to her all right. Of course, I knitted 
socks and sweaters and did without flour and sugar, and con- 
served gasoline like everyone else; but Sister, with a large 
family such as I have, I, trying to be a good wife and mother, 
have not much time away from my home. But I gave as much 
financially as I could. As to poor dear Pearl, she was in Chicago 
with her husband's relatives and was taken with influenza. . . 
She stayed up and around, and when she went to bed, it was 
too late to save her. Her heart gave out. And the saddest 
part was that none of us could get to her in time and she knew 
she was dying, for she kept asking if they had sent for papa. 
It is so sweet of you all to remember us. I so often wish I 
could get to Brown County for the Alumnae, but' I am never 
in that part of the country at that time. Do remember me to 
all the dear nuns, and with best love to all, 
Affectionately, 

Caddie Robinson Stevens. 

New Richmond, Ohio. 
October 18. 
Dear Sister: 

It is with pleasure I shall try to write something for the 
Year Book's War Number, — a fine idea! I am always so glad 
when any mail comes from Brown County. I have promised 
myself to go up and spend a week just to live over my school 
days. My first work to help was to give my two sons, though 
they belonged to the regular army. My oldest is Lt. Col. 
A. D. Davis, now commanding the Base Hospital at Camp 
Johnston. My youngest, Major Michael Davis, commanding 
the 33rd Areo Squadron at the Third Aviation Instruction 
Center, in France. While in England he spent a week's leave 
at a castle eight hundred years old, and he thinks his bed 
must have been nearly as old! I belong to the Red Cross, 



126 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

Chairman of the Work Committee. We have twenty-five 
workers, have sent fifty knitted suits to France, have out- 
fitted our own one hundred and twenty-five boys, have 
sent fifteen sets to Camp Sherman, and have quite a number 
on hand. I have done quite a bit of sewing, gauze work and 
hospital supplies. Besides my two sons, I have five nephews 
and two great-nephews in the war. I have tried to meet each 
financial call that has come out and have bought Liberty 
Bonds, and I invest in Thrift Stamps, so many each week. 
We must pray hard for a peace that will be lasting and safe 
for us. I beg you, dear Sisters, to remember me and my boys 
in your prayers. If Mother Gabriel is still with you give her 
my love. Wishing you a prosperous school year, I am 

Affectionately, 

Fannie Dimmitt Davis. 



Louisville, Ky. y 
October 10. 
Dear Sister: 

I think the idea of having the Year Book a War W^ork 
Number a splendid one, and I know a most interesting one. 
I will be glad to give my little account. I will begin with what 
I am more directly responsible for and interested in — now 
don't laugh when I say — dances. I will give you a full history, 
for through our little efforts girls in other cities have made 
similar endeavors, not exactly in the same way, but it has 
started other activities. About a year ago one of my friends 
gave a Sunday afternoon Military Tea. The chaplain furnished 
us with the names, he and the Knights of Columbus Secretary 
were both very much interested and came with the boys. 
About twenty girls were asked to assist. It proved a very 
enjoyable occasion, but the chaplain after talking it over, 
thought they would enjoy dancing more, and a greater number 
of men could be invited. No sooner said than done. The 
Knights of Columbus are most loyal friends, they gave us 
the use of their hall. The dances are strictly invitational, 
the names of the men are sent to us by the chaplains, secre- 
taries, or through personal friends. The girls, about sixty in 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 127 

number, are all friends of some one of the committee, and they 
are chaperoned by the most prominent Catholic women of 
the city. The girls are taxed a small sum — this pays for the 
music, frappe and the services of a door man and a maid. 
We had the dances every week all last year, with the 
exception of Advent and Lent, and resumed them after the 
84th Division left for Camp Sherman. It means quite a little 
work for those that form the committee. A few nights ago, 
four of us wrote invitations from seven- thirty until after ten. 
If you could read the letters of appreciation from the 84th 
after they left, and hear the delight of the mothers and other 
members of their families, for they always asked permission 
to bring their guests to the dances, you would feel as we do, 
that it is really worth while. When you think that many are 
very young, many never away from home before, all lonesome, 
you will realize that giving them an opportunity to meet the 
right kind of people is a very important thing. The fame of 
our dances is such that we have a waiting list, and the dif- 
ferent Protestant churches that have been having dances are 
following our plan, so if we are a little proud, forgive us, for 
it is a pardonable pride. While I think of it, your nephew's 
name was on our list, but I do not remember if he came in. 
Our dances are for the training camp men and the enlisted 
men. In the beginning the officers were wined and dined, 
and the enlisted men neglected, but that was soon changed. 
We were among the first to entertain for the enlisted men. 
Enough of the dances. 

The next that I am in a way responsible for is the knitting 
unit of the Junior Circle of the Queen's Daughters — I am 
Chairman of the Circle. All last year we met once a week, all 
day at the home of the members. Each girl provided her own 
lunch — the hostess furnishing the coffee. Besides accomplish- 
ing a great deal of work we had a delightful day. We disbanded 
for the summer but resumed the work in September. Now 
on account of the shortage of yarn, we meet once a week, all 
day at the Red Cross Headquarters, make surgical dressings. 
The Queen's Daughters have, for over a year, furnished break- 
fast at the camp for the boys who go to Communion. They 
would otherwise have to fast until noon. From a small be- 
ginning it has grown to be quite a big thing. Now serve at 



128 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

six Knights of Columbus buildings and a tent. Serve between 
three and four hundred men. I have been and will continue, 
after the quarantine is raised, going out with the President of 
the Queen's Daughters, who is a neighbor. We go to three 
buildings — about five — and are kept busy from seven until 
nearly noon. The last Mass we serve is nine, but the men from 
the earlier Mass wait for us at that building. We have a very 
big crowd. 

I have also been working for over a year in the Surgical 
Dressing Department of the Red Cross, knitting at home and 
have signed for Canteen Service. That branch of the service 
has not started here, but the huts are ready and the work will 
begin this week. 

Dear me, this does not sound very modest and unassum- 
ing. Am ashamed to send it, but please don't think I am sing- 
ing my own praises. Your questions are responsible for the 
lengthy answers. And I note that you ask for a few lines. 
But I am hoping that perhaps through the Year Book, Catholic 
women will take up the serving of breakfasts on Sunday. 
From what I have heard it is not done but in a very few places. 
Having the School for Chaplains here, we meet priests from 
all over the country and know that the work is far from being 
general. The priests are very enthusiastic. Always have quite 
a number for breakfast. I did not start this work regularly 
until recently, but all last winter the members went out, 
even when a path had to be dug from the garage to the corner 
which opened to a thoroughfare, and when all roads were 
well-nigh impassible. Not one Sunday have they missed until 
last Sunday, when, on account of the epidemic, services were 
not allowed at any of the buildings. 

You will have reason to be proud of the girls, for when 
the response comes in from all parts of the world, you will 
have a hard time choosing your material. How is my dear 
Mother Margaret Mary? Is she real well? And Sister 
Josephine? Mother Gabriel and all my friends? Give them 
all so much love. . . Would so love to hear if only a few lines. 
... I am hungry for news of Brown County. 

Affectionately, 

Margaret Malone, 'oi, E. de M. 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 129 



Dear Sister: 



Mount Sterling, Ky., 
October 75. 



What I have been doing for the "Success of the War" 
seems very little when I go to write it down, but knowing in 
my heart I do all that I can and am called on to do I don't 
feel so badly. I belong to only one War Work Organization, 
the Red Cross, as all that is done in one little town is done 
under them. Mr. Coleman is on the Board and intensely 
interested in all the drives and work of all kinds, Y. M. C. A., 
Liberty Loans, and whatever the work may be, feeling that 
he can't give enough of his time, energy and very limited 
means to make up for having to stay behind to feed and clothe 
two little tots. I give all to Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 
nine A. M. to five P. M., to the sewing, allowing nothing but 
sickness to keep me away. Up until six weeks ago we made 
hospital garments for the soldiers, but now we are making 
Refugee Garments. We have sent off thousands of garments 
and have been wonderfully inspired by the complimentary 
letters received from Cleveland where our garments go for 
final inspection. I try to knit a sweater a week, which wouldn't 
seem rapid knitting except that after being away from home 
two whole days and my Sundays out it keeps me stirring to 
keep my home regulated, care for two little ones, and do all 
of their sewing. Other spare moments are spent in trying to 
learn to keep house over again and adapt yourself to the many 
changes and substitutes. Most substitutes, I think, are more 
expensive for the housekeeper, though they save something 
the Government may want. This requires unusual manage- 
ment for I try to save enough out of my allowance to buy 
four War Certificates a month, for with what other little 
income I have I put in nothing but Liberty Bonds. Our babies, 
though only four and six, have their little allowance every 
Saturday, part of it to spend as they please, the rest to go 
with me, very proudly, to buy, their own W. S. S.'s. I have 
a nephew, Will Nelson Hoffman, who volunteered his services 
in the Marines. This summer they had a novel way of raising 
money here. The request went out for everybody to bring 
one Qgg to the Red Cross Headquarters, and they raised 



130 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

#70.00 from this little thing. Every lady was doubly glad to 
have contributed when last week the money was spent for 
boys right in our own. . . at Camp Buell, Lexington, Ky. 
The camp was filled with influenza and the authorities suffer- 
ing for want of bed linens and pillows. The call went out to 
neighboring towns, so with the #70.00, a box was soon made 
and sent over. 

I hope the War Work number will be a great success, it 
is certainly a splendid idea to have it. 

With much love, 

Louise Hoffman Coleman. 



Dear Sister: 



Cincinnati, Ohio, 
October 2J. 



Hallie and I were ever so pleased to have a note in your 
handwriting about the new Year Book for Brown County. 
I simply couldn't execute an article about it, but I can tell you 
what we have done and expect to do. Of course, you know 
about my taking part in the Liberty Loan Drive with Mar- 
guerite Clarke in Cincinnati. . . Now I have signed for Canteen 
Work overseas, have taken my physical examination and am 
awaiting orders. I had beautiful letters from Mrs. Nicholas 
Longworth, from Judge Smith here in the city, and the 
President of the American Book Company, Mr. Dillman, 
in New York. Hallie has not done very much, but took part 
in selling and she worked the Red Cross Week, taking dona- 
tions on the street. I spent the summer with Claire W r right, 
Mrs. Harry Kite of Washington, at White Sulphur Springs. 
We had a cottage and a most delightful time. Claire and I 
served at Canteen during the summer. Do let me have news 
of yourself and dear old Brown County. Best love to all 
always, from Hallie and myself. 

Affectionately, 

Margie Wentzel. 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 131 

1732 Peabody Avenue, 
October jj, igi8. 
Dear Sister Monica: 

I think it a fine idea to have a War Work Number, and 
at your request I am going to write on a separate sheet some 
modest account of myself and perhaps a boastful one of my 
three children who are having a part in things "over there". 
I am also going to enclose a copy of my War Verses, which 
are very simple but no doubt a real expression of what most 
mothers are experiencing along with me at this time. I have 
not had them published, but if you think they are worth while 
putting in the book I will be glad, but not hurt in the least if 
not included. I had no amusing incident to relate, for it has 
all been so real and horrible from the first. My boy has not 
distinguished himself as things go in these times — but he has 
been brave, uncomplaining and dutiful. He is now in the 
hospital having been shot through both legs on July 18th, 
and may be there much longer, and I hope will be sent home 
for further rest and improvement when the cure is finished. 
One wound was in the ankle joint, which was a compound 
fracture. 

Nettie Cocks Barnwell. Enrolled 1879. 

Frank H. Barnwell, 2nd Lieut. Co. G. 26 Infantry, 1st 
Division. Volunteered May 13, 191 7, landed in France Sept. 
24, 1917. Twice wounded. 

Isaac H. Barnwell, 1st Lieut. Machine Gun Co. 123 
Infantry, 131st Division. Volunteered May 13, 19 17. Sta- 
tioned at Camp Wheeler, sailed for France Oct. 7, 1918. 

Nettie Cocks Barnwell, member Newcomb College Relief 
Unit, to sail in November for France, under Red Cross. 

Mrs. N. C. Barnwell, Member National Council of 
Defense, also Red Cross. Assistant in Knitting Department. 
Have knitted thirty-six pairs socks, fifteen trench caps and 
wristlets. Serve in Canteen twice a week, and also do surgical 
dressings and sewing. Took part in the house to house dis- 
tribution of Hoover Cards, and conserve food according to 
regulations as far as possible. 



132 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



MY VIGIL 

When the household sleep , and quiet 
Pervades the soft night air, 

"Tis then that I am longing 

To hear a step on the stair. 

Much like a lonely sentry 

I'm alert, and strain to hear 

Not the enemy's cautious tread, 
But a voice and step so dear. 

I am not used to the silence, 

So broken it used to be, 
When laddie came to my bedside, 

For a goodnight kiss from me. 

Now the night and I keep vigil, 

Since he gently stroked my hair 

And whispered "Don't fret, Mother, 

I'll be thinking of you 'over there' " f 

He is fighting for me and freedom, 
And my part's not to complain, 

While I wait and pray and listen, 
Till I hear his step again. 

Nettie Cocks Barnwell. 



On the Child of Mary Roll, Belle O'Hara is set down as 
receiving that honor, the highest the school offers — not even 
excepting Graduation — on May 20, 1870. She and her sister 
are on the enrollment of pupils for 1865. These two were among 
the first to respond in 1910 to the gathering of the Alumnae, 
and have been in close touch with the Convent. It is with 
sincere sympathy that we now commend this afflicted mother 
to the Queen of Sorrows, whose Child she became in the 
freshness of that May day of her youth: 

Williamstown, Ky., 
October 22. 
Dear Sister: 

With a heart full of grief I will try and write you a few 
lines. My youngest and darling son passed away last Thursday 
morning in the Cincinnati Hospital of that dreadful scourge. . . 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 133 

Dr. Roy Clark, Interne, a martyr to duty in the epidemic. . . . 
in examining the influenza cases that applied for admission, 
contracted the fatal disease and collapsed at his post. . . I 
enclose a slip from the Cincinnati paper. 

We all belong to the Grant County Chapter of the Red 
Cross, my three daughters and myself. We have done a great 
deal of knitting and sewing. My oldest daughter is one of the 
buyers for the Chapter. My darling boy had entered the Medi- 
cal Reserve Corps and was serving his first year as interne 
at Christ's Hospital, Mt. Auburn. My son-in-law is a sailor 
at Great Lakes Naval Station. Excuse this scrawl. I hope 
you can read it. Pray for me and remember me to Mother 
Gabriel. She was at the Convent when I was a girl. With 
best love and wishes for the dear old convent, I am a broken- 
hearted "old girl". I was with my son three days before his 
death. He received the last Sacraments of the Church. . . 

Belle O'Hara Clark, E. de M. 

Williamstown, Ky., 
October 21. 
Dear Sister: 

In regard to your "War Book" I will say that I am a 
member of the Red Cross, as we have a Unit here, and I have 
made five sweaters, several mufflers and wristlets, and expect 
to do more this winter. . . None of our boys have yet been 
called. . . all have wives and young children. Give my love 
to all the dear Sisters. . . 

Sincerely, 

Josephine O'Hara Reed. 

& 

Miss Agnes Lincoln, E. de M. of Rome, Italy, has not been 
able to pass the censor board with her report of War Work. 
Indefatigable as she always is, especially in her devotedness 
to the interests of the Holy Father in the Eternal City, we 
deplore the lack of so valuable a letter as hers would be. Her 
life in Rome is one of lovely hidden charities. Of the Lincoln 
family at Brown County there have been enrolled: 



134 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

Mrs. Pearl Lincoln Mitchell, E. de M., and Mrs. Mary Mitchell 
White. Mrs. Nellie Lincoln Buscaren, and Marie Elise Bus- 
caren, (at Oak Street Convent), Charlotte Lincoln, Florence 
Lincoln, E. de M., '75, now Sister Angela, Agnes Lincoln. 

£2 

Miami, Fla., Nov. 4. 
Dear Sister: 

I had just been put in charge of a temporary hospital 
for colored people in this busy time of Flu. My big part in 
War Work, and I think you will agree with me that it is 
War Work, that is keeping the older children in school. . . In 
addition to this I have spent my evenings partly in making 
surgical dressings at the Red Cross buildings. I am interested 
in the economy, and only wish that years ago I had been 
taught how to save. I fear my work is small compared with 
what the other girls are doing. I am always interested in dear 
old Brown County. 

Sincerely, 

Cora Miller Bain, E. de M. 



In that day, seven women shall take hold of one man, 
saying: We will eat our own bread, and wear our own 
apparel, only let us be called by thy name; take away our 
reproach. 

— Prophecy of Isaias. 



South Nyack, N. Y., 

n OctoberS. 

Dear Sister: 

I am sorry to say that I do not deserve a place on the 
Honor Roll of the Alumnae War Work Year Book, as I should 
be ashamed to tell you how little I have done. I shall look 
with great interest for the Year Book. Will you give my very 
best love to Sister Mechtilde? Always with the most grateful 
and affectionate remembrance of dear Brown County and all 
who are there, I remain, 

Very Affectionately, 

Charlotte Cullinan. 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 135 

Miss Charlotte Cullinan is daughter of Mrs. Frances 
Molyneux Cullinan, who was graduated with Mother Borgia, 
Kate Magevney, in the Class of i860, and was made Child 
of Mary in 1859. These two will celebrate the Diamond 
Jubilee in Heaven. 

Hillsboro, Ohio, 
October 30. 
Dear Sister: 

I belong to the Red Cross. I pay my dues but have not 
been able to do any work for the Order. It seems long since 
we could attend Mass. Time seems long and lonely without 
visiting Our Lord in His sanctuary. I hope the churches will 
soon be opened. . . 

Affectionately, 

. Sallie Owens Bailey, E. de M. 

Cincinnati, Ohio, 
Dear Sister: 

... A few weeks ago I was called upon to sell tickets for the 
benefit of devastated France for one of the large "Movies" 
here, a play called Hearts of the World, ... I was stationed in 
the Hotel Sinton. We made our nine hundred dollars, which 
was considered very good. Most of the people paid for the 
tickets but did not take them; so after we young girls had 
finished, we took the tickets over to the soldiers at Fort 
Thomas. They certainly were happy, and on Friday morning 
the theatre was crowded with soldiers. The war surely has 
taught us all a lot of new things. 

Ever so much love to all at Brown County. 
Devotedly, 

Kathryn Maescher, '16. 



Dear Sister: 



Louisville, Ky., 
October 16, 1918. 



My small part in this great War Work is hardly worthy 
of notice, but since you have asked, I will say that my efforts 
have been directed towards knitting and the making of 



136 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

surgical bandages. When the Red Cross Units were formed at 
our church, I joined the knitting forces, and labored so long 
and patiently over my first pair of socks that Mr. Service 
feared that he would have to ask for a continuation of the 
war, in order to give some soldier an opportunity to favor 
my maiden effort! Since that memorable pair, however, 
knitting socks has been very fascinating, and while I have 
kept no account of the number made, I am not altogether 
ashamed of my record. For Surgical Dressings I show a 
decided partiality, and my interest grows with the work. I 
have been attending this department for a year, giving two 
mornings a week to the work, more when required by rush 
orders. We have observed the Food Administration rules to 
the letter, and I must say we are none the worse for the absti- 
nence. My two nephews' desire to serve their country has 
been a source of pride and pleasure to me. John Slattery, 18, 
enlisted in the navy six months ago, and his brother, Maurice, 
was so eager to follow that his mother gave her consent. Their 
enthusiasm over their work is inspiring. When, oh when, will 
this most interesting Year Book be at hand? I can scarcely 
restrain my impatience to revel among those letters and renew 
my acquaintance with my school girl friends. The number is 
bound to prove interesting, and we no doubt owe you a vote 
of thanks for the happy idea. Kindly remember me to all 
the nuns and with every assurance that I still love you, one 
and all, in spite of my lack of sociability, 
I am, devotedly, 

Mary Slattery Service, '97, E. de M. 

Springfield, Ohio, 

^ _,. Monday, October, 1018. 

Dear bister: 

You can't imagine how delighted I was to receive your 
note, for it has been ages since I have heard from Brown 
County. I think to make the Year Book a War Work number 
is a splendid and appropriate idea. I am trying like every one 
else to do my "Bit". I am most interested in the Home Ser- 
vice Department of the Red Cross. This branch takes care 
of many problems, but the main one is to settle the question who 
should get the allotment from any certain soldier, — the wife 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 137 

or the mother ? We have to investigate the case. First we visit 
the wife and hear her tale, and then call upon the mother. 
They certainly air out their troubles to us and go to extremes 
to get the money. Tomorrow I have to make a door-to-door 
canvass to find nurses and young girls who will go to camp 
and take the three years' course in nursing. About fifty girls 
signed up to take the course and when they were called only 
thirty or thirty-five were willing to go. The city wants the 
name of every nurse, nurse's aid, and practical nurse, so that 
in case of emergency it will be prepared. . . Ray is home from 
the navy and he looks fine in his uniform, but he is black with 
sunburn. He calls himself the "Sea-goin' man". When we 
ask him why he wears his hat almost on his eye, his answer is 
always — "That's sea-goin'". I suppose school is as usual. 
Are there many girls? I am crazy to go down, but Papa never 
has time during the week, and on Sundays we cannot go on 
account of gasoline — fast. Now, when Papa can't wait any 
longer to see all the nuns, we are afraid of the " Flu ". Give my 
love to all the dear nuns. I know the Year Book will be lovely. 
Affectionately, 

Mary Shouvlin, '15 E. de M. 

Mrs. Fannie Borgess Thompson is the second of Mother 
Dionysia's three nieces who were at Brown County in the 
eighties: Mrs. Mary Borgess Burdeau, E. de M., '85, Fannie, 
and Mrs. Emily Borgess Slevin, E. de M., '93. All three were 
popular among their classmates, and the whole family were 
connected with Brown County's dearest interests. Bishop 
Borgess of Detroit was a great friend of the Community 
and a frequent visitor to his sister, and the beautiful marble 
altar in the convent chapel is a memorial of her. Mrs. 
Thompson's daughter, Charlotte, is also of the Alumnae. 

Indianapolis, Ind., 

„ . October 17. 

Dear Sister: 

The first call of the nation for the students for officers train- 
ing received response from my two splendid sons. Although 
not twenty-two years of age, Ralph was commissioned Cap- 
tain and made Division Commandant of the bayonet school 
for officers at Camp Shelby, Miss. I made several trips south 



138 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

while he was in camp and even followed him to Camp Mills, 
L. I., where he embarked October first. Alfred, Jr., enlisted 
in a National Guard Company of Engineers. Hoping to be 
sent overseas sooner he entered the fourth camp of field artil- 
lery, where he was commissioned Second Lieutenant. I too 
felt the call and went to the Red Cross, making surgical robes, 
pajamas, bandages, and the like. With the Catholic ladies 
of the Adelaide Proctor Club I sewed altar linens for the army 
chaplains and helped support a French orphan. I am a mem- 
ber of the Indiana War Mothers and the Catholic Women's 
Service League, co-operating with the Knights of Columbus 
in furnishing entertainments or rendering any service for the 
boys in local camps. Just now we are making ten thousand 
gallons of soup daily for the thousands of boys sick from 
influenza at Fort Harrison. During "idle moments" at home 
with my daughters, we have made fourteen sweaters, five pairs 
of socks, two scarfs, many comfort kits, wristlets, etc. We 
keep open house for the soldiers always. Mr. Thompson is 
also in army work, in the packing house industry. They supply 
enormous quantities of beef and pork to the camps, the 
American forces overseas, and to the British, French, Italian 
and Belgian governments. The government demands the 
choicest meats and is paying the highest prices. We are all 
in the army of prayer and are daily communicants. 

"Each one has some part to play, the past and the future 
are nothing in the face of the stern today"; and just who 
have made us realize this "stern today", but you, dear 
Sisters of Brown County, and I trust these few lines will tell 
you that not only are your children true Americans, but so 
are your grandchildren, too! 

Affectionately, 

Fannie Borgess Thompson, 

State Vice-President for Indiana. 

Chicago, III., 

_ _, . September 24.. 

Dear bister: 

In our Jesuit parish of St. Ignatius, we have a large Red 
Cross organization consisting of a surgical dressing depart- 
ment, the sewing of hospital garments, and knitting. Of this 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 



latter my sister is in charge. We meet each week, when we 
receive the wool or return whatever garments are finished, 
many of us remaining all day. At one of these meetings a 
lady asked me if I would care to write to a Belgian soldier 
who had lost much in the war. I shall copy for you the answer 
he sent to my letter. He is a musician of distinction, serving 
in the armies, and he tells how he has lost his house, his piano, 
musical library, four violins and his diplomas, by fire. The 
letter is of greater interest than anything I can tell you. 

Lovingly, 

Edith Allen, '93, E. de M. 

Tell City, Ind., 

^ _,. October. 20. 

Dear bister: 

In a way, I have been working all season for the Red Cross, 
for I suggested, in most towns where I sold contracts, that 
the proceeds be given in to the local workshop fund, — as the 
Lyceum work in which I am engaged is really part of the 
National Defense. Helping my "bit" in donations and invest- 
ments as far as my ability permitted, is about all I have been 
able to do. . . Food? The little sacrifices we have been called 
upon to make are so trivial in comparison with what our boys 
are doing that a feeling of contempt arises in me when I hear 
anyone complain. How can they, when they know little children 
in foreign lands are starving? But what a preachment! . . . and 
I had no intention of inflicting it. . . you see that I am the same 
chatterer that I used to be. By the way, I have also earned 
aj$50 Liberty Bond, a bonus for work in the Lyceum field, 
because I went "over the top" in contracts sold. . . I wish 
you could see the exquisite service flag in our church. One of 
the nuns, a Parisian, by the way, painted it. As for my sing- 
ing, I have had so little time for practice. I thank you, dear 
Sister, for your sweet invitation to visit Brown County and 
give a little recital. . . and playing at being a school girl again. 
And please don't call me one of "your ladies". . . I'd much 
rather be one of your girls. Please remember us in your good 
prayers. My love to all. Sincerely, 

CORINNA SWITZER. 

P. S. — This epistle nearly beats St. John's in length?. . . 



140 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine on the sides of thy 
house: thy children like olive plants round about thy 
table. — Psalm 127. 

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth 
the Lord. And mayst thou see thy children's children, 
peace upon Israel. 



Rushville, Ind., 
October 16. 
Dear Sister: 

The most we have been able so far to do is Red Cross 
Work, but have tried to do our part in surgical dressings, 
knitting and some plain sewing. Through the Phi Kappa 
Sorority, of which we are members, we have been able to help 
our Chapter by sales, auctions, and charity parties, and by 
making quilts, which were sent to the base hospitals in France. 
And together with the other State members we purchased an 
ambulance which has been in service at the front for months. 
. . . Esther has charge of the Thrift Stamps in the High School, 
and has had wonderful success. Charlotte Thompson was 
down for a week's visit with me in September, and we had a 
lovely time. Please give my love to Sister Josephine, and all. 

Affectionately, 

Helen Black, E. de M. 

Norwood, Ohio, 
October 18. 
Dear Sister: 

I have helped out in knitting socks and sweaters and 
other work wherever I can, but do not belong to any war 
organization. In the Sunshine Class we have entertained 
about eighty to a hundred soldiers with parties and good, 
home-made refreshments. . . I think this ink must have been 
made in Germany, it is so bad! . . . Mother is making scrap- 
books for the wounded, and, of course, we both have Liberty 
Bonds. We have helped in the Belgian Relief for clothes. 
Mother has five nephews in .the army. . . With love, 
Sincerely, 

Elizabeth Kealhofer. 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 141 

New York City, 
October. 
Dear Sister: 

I hope we sha'n't have to tell you we have moved the 
next time I write, for we like to remain thus old fashioned 
that we still consider it rather a disgrace to move so often. 
We had plenty of heat but no storm windows and, as our 
apartment was right on the Hudson, our rooms were abso- 
lutely uninhabitable. But this is far, far away from the topic 
you want. . . On account of my sick brother, it is only since 
August that I have been able to devote myself to war work, 
and now it consists in assisting in a small way at the local 
Board and making bandages in the Red Cross work rooms 
a couple of afternoons a week. We began last week and expect 
to continue several Sundays, having either soldiers or sailors 
to Sunday dinner with us. I know the book cannot help but 
be a high tribute to the dear Brown County nuns, whose 
whole lives and energies are given to the making of just such 
women as are needed in such critical times as these. I found 
Papa slightly improved. We took Lawrence home at his wish. 
You will remember them in your prayers. . . In these times 
the world is so full of heartaches that I should feel that God 
has been good indeed to me. I have an old southern darkey 
who says "Dey say dis war is worse dan de Civil War". A 
heart full of love to you, to Mother Gabriel, Sister Josephine, 
and to every inch of dear Brown County. 
Devotedly, 

Genevieve Hackett Wessel, E. de M. 

Winthrop, Mass., 
October 17, 1918. 
My dear Sister: 

When you ask for what War Work I have done, I really 
feel ashamed to answer, for I feel I have done so little. I was 
taking four boys out for a ride in our auto some time ago, 
boys who had just returned from "over there". They were 
all under twenty years of age, — one lad just nineteen, — and 
had been over two years. Two had lost an arm, one had had 
his shoulder shattered, and the fourth had been severely gassed. 



142 ALUMNAE YE AR BOOK 

They were all as happy and as cheerful as could be. I only 
wish I could write you all they told me. One lad had not seen 
his mother for twenty-two months, he lived just outside of 
Boston, so as I had not been told where not to take these 
boys for their ride, I just took this poor lad home for a short 
visit. Sister, if you could have seen the other boys in the car, — 
well, to make a long story short, we all of us just had a little 
cry! 

Winthrop has an organization, Massachusetts Hospital 
Aid — I am told it was the first of the kind — a committee of 
four ladies serve the sick soldiers with cake, fruit, ice cream, 
and so forth, and spend the afternoon visiting with them, 
Tuesdays and Fridays. We usually have from forty to fifty 
boys to look after, and believe me, they are always glad to 
see the ladies come. I have helped in the sale of War Savings 
Stamps Drive for the Red Cross very, very often. As for sew- 
ing or knitting, I have not tried to do any, for I would pity 
the boys that would have to wear anything that I made. 
You must know that at Brown County I could not learn to 
sew, for I had to admire my sewing mistress all during sewing 
hour. 

Our little town here has two forts — Ft. Heath and Ft. 
Banks, Coast Artillery. It is wonderful to see the big guns 
trained to sea. Very often we hear big guns in the distance, 
but no one seems to know what they are. Only a few days 
ago a big mine was found just off our shore. Almost every 
day when we cross Boston Harbor we see submarines, destroy- 
ers, and big battleships, wonderful to look at. They must be 
awful in battle. I have counted as many as fifteen large boats 
in docks, all "camouflaged", waiting for a convoy; then it 
will be days before any are there again. But, Sister, the boys 
I have talked to who have been over there say all the awful 
things we have heard or read about are true, and if I only 
dared I could write you some terrible things. We had a Red 
Cross nurse out for a drive, a mere shadow of a woman. . .My 
dearest love to all the Sisters and each and every day I think 
of Brown County. 

As ever, 

Mary Wagner Gore, E. de M. 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 143 

Cincinnati, Ohio, 
October, igi8. 
Dear Sister: 

In answer to your letter I can only say that while my 
work is literally War Work of a particular kind, (District 
Truant Officer, Cincinnati, Ohio), it is not the material you 
want for your Year Book. . . Aside from my cousin Clarence, 
who is serving as major with the Cincinnati Base Hospital 
Unit in France, we have no one in the service, although the 
next call may take my brother, Gay. Knitting is not one of 
my accomplishments, but as Truant Officer, fear of me has 
made boys run down fire-escapes and jump out of second- 
story windows. . . With much love to all in Brown County, 
I remain, 

Devotedly, 

Helen King, E. de M. 



BLESSING FOR FRUITS AND GRAINS 

Holy Lord, Father Almighty, everlasting God, we 
beg and pray that thou wouldst deign to look with serene- 
eyes and smiling countenance upon these seeds of fruits 
and grains; and as thou didst testify to Moses thy servant 
in Egypt, saying: Tell the children of Israel that when 
they have entered the land of promise which I will give 
them, to offer the first fruits to the priests and they will be 
blessed; so we pray thee, Lord, that by the help of thy 
mercy . . . hail may not beat them down, nor rain storms 
destroy them, but they may be preserved for use of souls 
and bodies, and that thou wilt deign to lead them to blest 
abundance and fullest maturity. Who in perfect Trinity 
livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen. 



Memphis, Tenn., 
November 5, iqi8. 
Dear Sister: 

In going through, with much interest, one of the Alumnae 
Year Books of the Ursulines of Brown County, it seems fit 
to me that the memory of Annie Bolger Smith (E. de M., 1869), 



144 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

who died on St. Joseph's day, of last March should be on its 
pages, for there never was evidenced greater attachment and 
veneration for a convent and its sisterhood than hers. Her 
heart ever clung to those noble educators from whom she felt 
she had derived her highest ideals. Between Mother Borgia 
and herself there was an unbroken correspondence of affection, 
which was only interrupted when the silver cord was loosened. 
In the little treasure-box she left are now to be found Mother 
Borgia's letters, tenderly tied with a bit of blue ribbon. When 
she was married, her first wish was to visit the Sisters, and so 
indeed she did. With open arms they received her, allowing 
her to pass through all the places, even the holiest ones, so 
dear to her memory. Then when the dark shadows of life 
began early to envelop her, she never for a moment swerved 
from the principles of faith and resignation that had been 
instilled into her youthful heart. The life of cheerful forti- 
tude she led was almost that of a dedicated religious, radiating 
courage, truth, and hope. When the last came, the Reverend 
Father, who knew her well, after dwelling on her many vir- 
tues, requested prayers for her repose, adding that even St. 
Monica asked to be prayed for. This was a condensed and well- 
merited tribute. God grant the Ursulines may ever continue 
to develop many more such sinless souls! 

From one who understood and loved her well. 

A. B. Smith. 



Little Rock, Ark., 
October 4, 1918. 
Dear Sister: 

Your note was waiting for me. . . Personally I do very 
little for the Red Cross. Since the organization of our Chapter, 
I have been Secretary to the Treasurer, Mr. J. R. Vinson, 
and I have handled all the funds (!) When the first War Drive 
Campaign Committee was selected, Mr. Vinson was chosen 
State Committeeman, and during that campaign we were 
kept awfully busy. Our quota was #500,000.00, and we raised 
#714,000.00. In the Second Drive, the Department again 
asked for #500,000.00, and we raised #1,150,000.00. 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 145 

Mother and Eleanor are the knitters of the family. 
Eleanor's husband is now in action. . . I don't think we will 
have many more Fund Campaigns. I assure you I am looking 
forward with much pleasure to our June, 1920, Reunion. 
Will you let me stay in the Assembly Room again ? 

With much love to you, Sister M.Gabriel, Sister Josephine 
and all. 

Affectionately, 

Nora Miles. 

Philadelphia, 
October 6. 
Dear Sister: 

Your letter has just been received, and in reference to my 
interest in the War Work, — I am Secretary for the Tobacco 
Committee of the Overseas Commission of the Emergency 
Aid of Pennsylvania. I have charge also of the "Melting 
Pot", in this Committee for tobacco. Since last March I 
have collected enough old gold and silver, pewter and tin 
foil, to melt at the Mint and to sell, until the fund is now 
#11,476.00. Our Tobacco Committee has collected, besides 
this, by donations, #76,000.00, which has been spent for tobacco 
for the lads overseas. I am also on the Serbian Committee, 
and I give one day each week to the wool shop, where we 
sell wool for soldier's knitted garments at the rate of #1,000.00 
a week. And while we are so interested in our work we are 
so glad of an armistice to come, — perhaps, soon! With love 
and kindest best wishes to all. 

Affectionately, 

Clara Biddle Davis. 

American Red Cross, Base Hospital, 
Camp Taylor, Ky., 
December 75, iqi8. 
Dear Mother: 

I do not know when I received a letter that gave me so 
much pleasure as yours. I felt that I had not been forgotten 
at my Alma Mater, and I do hope that Durrett and myself 



146 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

may be present at the next Alumnae Reunion. I would like 
to know all about Brown County. No doubt there are but 
few Sisters who remember me. 

Mama, (Mrs. Sallie Phillips Durrett) keeps up remarkably 
well but never leaves home. She begs to be remembered with 
love to the Sisters. We are living in an army camp. The Base 
Hospital is on my mother's farm. We have seen, heard, and 
learned much in the past year. Durrett is working at the 
Quartermaster's and does well. My two little girls are at the 
Holy Rosary Academy, Louisville, Sallie Roberts is ten and 
in the Fifth Grade, and Simone is eight and in the Third 
Grade. Are Sister Mary Baptist and Sister Monica still with 
you. Give them my love. Christmas greetings to all. Trust- 
ing you will find time to write me again and thrill my inmost 
being, I am, as ever, 

Your devoted child, 

Sallie Durrett Thompson. 

Mrs. Sallie Phillips Durrett and her sister, Mrs. Nannie 
Phillips Shipp, belong to the old times, the years before '72. 
Sallie Durrett Thompson, her daughter, and Durrett Thomp- 
son have been Brown County girls. Adelia Shipp, daughter of 
Nannie Phillips, was at the convent in 1884. 

Bellevue, Ky., 
December 20, 1918. 
Dear Sister: 

In answer to your letter asking for the circumstances of 
my husband, Dr. James Nelson's, being wounded in France, 
I am sending you this little account, as I am afraid Edith 
will be too poky about getting it off. I hope Jim will soon be 
home again; do pray he will. He has been sent back into 
France. 

It was in the second battle of the Marne that he was 
gassed, July 17, 191 8, at Chateau Thierry. The telegram 
read "Deeply regret to inform you that it is officially reported 
that Captain James Van Dyke Nelson, Field Artillery, was 
severely wounded in action, July 17th. The Department has 
no further information. Signed, Harris, Acting Adjutant 
General". 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 147 

An item that might be of interest happened during the 
Battle of the Marne. Dr. Nelson was in an old stable where 
they were bringing the wounded, and while administering aid 
in one of the stalls, a large shell came through three thick- 
nesses of wall and landed in the straw beside them, and did 
not explode. Of course we all know it was the Providence of 
God that saved them. 

After recuperating at Chairmont, and a furlough of one 
month, the Doctor reported to Headquarters, and was placed 
in charge of a hospital at Bain les Bains, where he remained 
until Oct. 10, when he was assigned to the 28th Field Hos- 
pital, 4th Division, and again sent to the Front until after the 
Armistice. Then he marched with the army of occupation 
toward Coblenz. 

He hopes to get home soon. How are you ? Happy New 
Year, and love. 

Devotedly, 

Olie Ellerhorst Nelson, E. de M. 

Mrs. Nelson's sisters, Mrs. Clara Ellerhorst Senour, E. 
de M., and Miss Edith Ellerhorst, E. de M., '02, are also 
members of the Alumnae. 



Mrs. Caddie Maginnis Babcock writes of War Work in 
her parish at Richmond Hill, Long Island, which she depre- 
cates as being rather too modest for record, but she claims 
the distinction of having two sons and six nephews in the 
American Expeditionary Forces. She comes of a family in 
which seven daughters of one generation and ten of the 
second have been at school at Brown County, as also two 
cousins through her grandfather's first marriage. They are: 
Mrs. Florence Maginnis Lynn, E de M. ; Mrs. Lizette Magin- 
nis Miller, E. de M.,'71; and Mrs. Margaret Miller Berry; 
Mrs. Caddie Maginnis Babcock, E. de M., '75; Ruth Babcock; 
Natalie Babcock, E. de M.; Mrs. Florence Maginnis Walsh, 
E. de. M,'io; and Lizette Maginnis, children of Judge W. L. 
Maginnis. Mrs. Sherdie Maginnis Krebs, E. de M.; Katherine 
Krebs, E. de M.,'08; Mary Krebs, E. de M.,'14; Mrs. Daisy 
Sutton, E. de M., '85; Margaret Sutton, E. de M., '07; 



148 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

Dorothy Sutton, E. de M., 'n; Ursula Sutton, E. de M., '14; 
Sister Monica; Sister Josephine; Florence Snider, E. de M., 
'18; Marcella Kullman, E. de M. 



Sidney, Ohio, 
December 29. 
Dear Sister: 

When we consider what other great and noble things 
have been done, what Mama and I have done seems very small. 
Of course, Mama* has given Ralph up to the service of Uncle 
Sam. With her poor health she was unable to attend our Red 
Cross meetings, but did her knitting for the soldiers at home. I 
helped out at the meetings by making bandages and sweaters, 
and by doing canteen work at different celebrations held here. 

We have all enjoyed having Genevieve home with us 
(Miss Genevieve Gerlach, E. de M., Class of 19 19), and regret 
that her vacation is drawing to a close. I would like to tell 
you of the many compliments Genevieve has received due to 
the wonderful training that only the Brown County Ursulines 
can give. 

Wishing you and all the nuns a happy and successful 
New Year, 

With ever so much love, 

Mary Louise Gerlach, E. de M, '16. 

*Mrs. Flora Wagner Gerlach, E. de M. Mrs. Gerlach's sister, Mrs. Bertha Wagner 
Weber, of Chicago, is also of the Alumnae, and their niece, Mrs. Inez Thiedick Whipp, E. 
de M. of Sidney, whose early death brought sorrow to her many Convent friends. 

Cincinnati, Ohio, 
January g, IQIQ. 
Dear Sister: 

Yes, I am a member of the Red Cross, specializing in 
canteen work, four days a week, serving to soldiers, sailors 
and marines arriving and departing from the Grand Central 
Depot in our city. I have knitted also. I have no relatives in 
any branch of service. I am a member of the Women's Council 
of National Defense and conducted my household along lines 
laid down by Council of National Defense. I also sold Liberty 
Bonds and Thrift Stamps as well as buying liberally. During 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 149 

the summer I was in charge of the office one morning a week 
for Devastated France. 

You ask me to write you an account of the "Endowment 
for Brown County" which is as follows: 

Martha Burns and I attended a Musicale at Oak Street 
School, and there the idea came to us through the inspiring 
talk to the friends assembled. A similar scheme had been 
successfully closed by the 1916 Class at Cornell. The follow- 
ing Sunday Martha and I made a trip to Brown County and 
laid our plans before the nuns. They in turn referred us to 
Mrs. Katherine Denver Williams, President of the Brown 
County Alumnae, where our plan for an Endowment for Brown 
County was received most enthusiastically by Mrs. Williams. 

We immediately set to work to get the names and addresses 
of every member of the Alumnae. We drafted a letter to be 
sent to the above mentioned, with a return pledge card for 
those who wished to take up 'our offer, (which we first sub- 
mitted to Mrs. Williams for approval). 

All expenses, printing, postage, car-fare, railroad fare 
(as we personally solicited members of the Alumnae in and 
adjacent to Cincinnati), were borne by Martha and myself. 

Our original hope was to secure $40,000 insurance on the 
Alumnae members, which would pay off the Brown County 
debt in ten years by the maturity of the ten-year-endowments, 
or previous death of the member insured. 

One of the members, a resident of Los Angeles, (Miss 
Marie Rose Mullen, E. de M.) was refused insurance by our 
examiner on account of some impairment, and wrote us that 
she intended to present a check to Brown County, the equiva- 
lent of the policy. Mrs. Freschard of Owensville (mother of 
Miss Clara Freschard) being beyond the age limit, said it 
was her intention to give the equivalent of a policy at her 
death. The following is a complete list of members who have 
taken policies, with Brown County as the beneficiary, each a 
Ten Year Endowment for $500.00: 

Sept. 16, 1916 — Miss Louise E. Williams. 

Oct. 18, 19 1 6 — Hilary R. Sexton. 

Oct. 19, 1916 — Miss Clara Freschard. 

Nov. 24, 19 1 6— Miss Edith M. Ellerhorst. 

Dec. 1, 1916 — Miss Mary Julia Hummel. 



150 ALUM NAE YEAR BOOK 

Mrs. Williams was the first to subscribe, and sad to relate 
hers was the first policy paid. Miss Louise Williams died on 
Dec. 9, 1918, and a check of the Equitable Life Assurance 
Company was mailed to Brown County on Jan. 2, 1919, for 
#510.41; #500.00 being the amount of the policy and #10.41 
the accumulated dividends. The death of Miss Williams 
proves what benefits can be derived from insurance, for had 
she lived her alloted time she would have been a constant 
contributor to and benefactor of Brown County, and this 
small check for #510.41 is a contribution to Brown County 
in their irreparable loss. 

Since I am now married I am no longer in business. 
Martha Burns is still with the Equitable Insurance Co., and 
would dearly love to assist in furthering this project — for 
perhaps later members of the Alumnae would like to join our 
little band of policy holders. If so, a line to Martha (Equitable 
Life Assurance Society, Union Trust Bldg., Cincinnati, Ohio,) 
would receive an immediate reply. 

I would be glad to hear from you further and would gladly 
again serve you if it is within my power. Kindly remember 
me to all the dear nuns, especially Sister Gonzaga. 
Most cordially. 

Rose Thorner Eisfelder. 



BLESSING OF A GRAVE 

God, by whose mercy the souls of the faithful find 
rest, vouchsafe to bless this grave, and appoint thy holy 
angel to keep it; and release the souls of all those whose 
bodies are buried here from every bond of sin, that they may 
always rejoice in thee with thy saints forever. Through 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

— From the Lay folks' Ritual. 



General Scammon like General Rosecrans sent his daugh- 
ters to Brown County, and two daughters of each of these 
families later became members of the Community. The 
writer of this thrilling narrative in the coming pages, Comtesse 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 151 

Benoist d'Azy, was born Carrie Scammon Jones, heroic 
daughter of an heroic father, General Eliachim Scammon of 
the 23rd Ohio Regiment, in the Civil War. Brown County 
numbers in its Alumnae two generations of Scammons, and 
this year has enrolled a member of the third. They are: Mrs. 
Mary Scammon Jones, Mrs. Margaret Scammon Lockwood, 
E. de M., Class of 1862, Miss Carrie Scammon, who died at 
school; Mrs. Juliette Scammon Hoyt, Mrs. Winnie Scammon 
Blanchet; then, Carrie Scammon Jones, Comtesse d'Azy, 
Margaret Jones, E. de M., Class of 1892, now Mother Mech- 
tilde, Assistant Superior at Brown County; Mrs. Winifred 
Jones Ovitt, E. de M., Class of '99, Mrs. Mary Jones Resor, 
and this year, Miss Mary Lovel Resor. The two Generals 
were great friends, and while they were in the field during the 
Civil War, their families lived together at Yellow Springs, 
Ohio, where Bishop Rosecrans used to visit them from time to 
time to look after their welfare and hear the children's con- 
fessions, as no other priest was near. It was General Scammon 
who designed the Priest's House at Brown County Convent, 
giving it the air of open southern hospitality that now con- 
stitutes its charm. Mother Mechtilde, besides being Assistant 
Superior, is Directress of the school. 

Aux Arm'ees — 12 Fevrier, 1917. 
Beaurieux, near Rheims. 
Dearest: 

... I have had a sad day, for my Service received the 
wounded from a coup de main made by us. We heard the 
cannonade from four A. M. until six-twenty P. M., and of 
course it was easy to know that we were attacking, but not 
until eight A. M. could the wounded arrive. The first was a 
powerful youth with a garrot around the thigh, and a very 
bad leg. He was in such a state of excitement that it took three 
men to hold him. Now he is peacefully sleeping in my ward, 
and each time I have been near him he has greeted me with 
an almost radiant smile. He is a poor lad from Valenciennes. 
. . . He seems so glad to sleep in a bed to and be taken care 
of , . . . poor lad ! . . . But my heart is very sad, ... for such a 
darling Lieutenant of Chasseurs has died, and before he could 



152 ALUM NAE YEAR BOOK 

be taken upstairs, to say nothing of an operation, which was 
impossible. . . You know that if the wounded have not eight 
de tension arterielle, they cannot be operated on, they die on 
the table. . . . We must build them up by serum, by huile 
camphore, by strychnine and spateinne, all by hypodermic. . . 
Notwithstanding all I did, piqueres upon piqueres, the little 
Lieutenant's pulse would not come up. I remained with him 
from eleven A. M. until seven P. M., when he died. After his 
death I arranged him, closed his eyes and shrouded him in a 
sheet, as we are obliged to do. When I had arranged every- 
thing I suddenly saw at the foot of the bed, a poor little semin- 
arist, a little Poilu, who left the seminary to go to war, and 
sub-deacon he still remains, with a big heart of a real priest. 
He said to me "Ote, ... maintenant, Madame, son ame nous 
dit 'Merci!' " But the awful part now is the howling of the 
little Lieutenant's dog around the house. . . a glorious starlit 
night. . . the beauty of it all makes the war seem more atro- 
cious. . . these youths going from this world in such a brutal 
way leaving life at its dawn! ... I am de guarde, and if any 
wounded come I may be up all night. . . 

Fevrier 24.. 

This letter begun so long ago. . . My night watch each 
time has been tragic until tonight and it is only eleven P. M. 
Last night. . . one of my wounded had a fearful hemorrhage. 
I noticed that he was agitated, went to him, found his face 
covered with cold sweat, and then looked further. . . He was 
lying in a pool of clotted blood. I put on the garrot, gave him 
a piquere d'huile camphore, and sent flying to wake up the 
surgeon de garde. He was down in a minute, all his equipe 
with him. He said we must have a transfusion, and he asked 
a man with a broken arm if he would give some of his blood. 
The man consented and at once everything was prepared. . . 
It is always a moving scene and although I have seen it many 
a time I can never witness it without emotion. Alas! All was 
useless, our dear soldier died at five A. M. I tumbled into 
bed at six A. M. Dear, I must stop, ... I am tired, ... a bit 
brain tired, too, . . . You know I often feel as if Mother were 
near me. . .1 feel that she has given me a bit of her mother's 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 153 

heart, too, for I love my wounded lads and they seem to me 
all, whether forty or twenty, like children. They ask me what 
they can eat, what they can drink, ... I have to write many 
letters for them, and it is often hard work. I can tell you. . . 
Some Americans are coming this way, they tell me, . . two 
divisions, but mixed with the French troops. I am happy at 
the thought, but how I pity the poor lads. . . their first ex- 
perience under this Hellfire. 

August 6, 1917. 

For two weeks we have been in the midst of horror. . . 
Attack after attack, — within two miles and less of us, — has 
brought innumerable wounded to our hospital. How can I 
describe the night arrivals of these poor, mutilated, exhausted, 
heroic men! . . . covered with mud, with blood, . . . heads, 
arms, legs, bandaged with gauze already saturated with 
blood. . . We begin by washing them. The doctor looks at 
their wounds, which are hardly bound, while they are sent 
to the radiography. After that, the Surgeon sees those that 
are "operables", and they are carried to the operation table. 
I must run from the operation table and prepare a bed with 
hot water bags, with sitting positions for those who are wounded 
in the lungs or abdomen, flat for all others. At night we seem 
to be everywhere at once, but it is awful to see men die and 
die and die, and to be helpless to save them, though this we 
have done many times. Our rooms are in the cellar, with old, 
arched ceilings, whitewashed now, so as to be less sad, and 
there we all live, night and day. We forget the bombardment 
except that the violence of the attack brings us more wounded. 
We live so entirely with our wounded that we hardly ever 
go out at all, even for a minute. . . On Sunday we could not even 
go to Mass,. . . as every moment was precious. . . . The Army 
Corps has left us now and we regret them deeply, they were 
real friends and devoted to the cause. The General command- 
ing, before his departure, came to decorate several of my 
soldiers, and upon leaving turned to me and said, — "Madame, 
de tout mon coeur, je vous remercie de tout ce que vous avez 
fait pour nos chers blesses!" and he kissed my hand, which I 
regret to say was very ugly and dirty. I said — "Ne me re- 
merciez pas, car ce que j'ai fait, est si peu en comparison de 



154 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

ce que je voudrais faire, — ". . . To my surprise the next day 
I received the following letter from the General. 

"Madame, — au moment ou mon Corps d'Armee quitte le 
Secteur, je tiens a vous exp rimer au noms de mes soldats, 
nos sinceres remerciements, pour les soins si touchants et si 
reconfortants, que vous avez prodiguees a nos chers blesses, 
avec un devouement au-dessous de tout eloge, sans souci des 
fatigues et du danger. Soyez persuadee, Madame, que nous 
en garderons tous un souvenir, reconnaissant, et veuillez 
agreez mes plus respectueux hommages. "... I felt very proud 
and most touched. . .By the way, the Ambulance Service here 
has been made by young Americans, two of whom were killed, 
and I went to their funeral in the Soldiers' Graveyard near 
here. Should the picture of this funeral, — the two coffins 
lying on the ground before being lowered, covered with the 
flag, and surrounded by flowers picked from the field, while 
the General, — (my General) — decorates the dead with the 
Croix de Guerre, — should this picture appear in any of the 
illustrated papers of America, — you will see a white spot of 
an Infirmiere's blouse next to a black spot of an Aumonier's 
cassock, — both surrounded on all sides by soldiers, — you will 
know that that one and only woman is your old sister. . . 
While I write you the Boches are sending us marmites to our 
Batteries of 75, . . . whenever I come up to my room for a 
moment, I see the hideous engines falling. Do not fear for 
me, we are very near but not visible, and even if we were, 
our cellars are safe against even the 210's. I must stop now as 
this is to be my night watch. I have five battles to fight against 
death, . . . God help me to win more than one of them, . . . 
to win all would be wonderful. I must say good-night, . . . 
piqueres de morphine, de'huil camphore, de strychnine, de 
serum, call me to duty! ... It is thus we battle against the 
weakness following these terrible wounds, . . . whatmy wounded 
call "les coups de bayonnette de Madame l'lnfirmiere". 



September 3, 1917. 

Let me describe it to you. A village within less than two 
miles of the fighting line,. . . twenty or thirty houses, roofless 
and shattered, . . . thanks to German shells. In the middle 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 155 

of this village an ancient house, oblong, severe in outline, 
with small panelled windows. The entrance to this house or 
chateau is now protected by bags of sand and over the door, 
a huge hole in the wall, made by a German 150, is likewise 
stopped with sandbags. The salon and library have become 
Salle de Preparation and Salle d'Operation, — rooms in which 
the wounded are received and washed, and then operated 
upon. To right of the Preparation Room you can see a trap 
door of recent fabrication in common pine boards, and leading 
down under it is a sort of ladder. . . That is the entrance to 
my realm. In other words my dear wounded are in the wine 
cellar. There the vaulted ceilings have been whitewashed, 
and white sheets have been stretched around the walls, form- 
ing a sort of wainscoting. Under this vaulted room there is 
still another, where there are more wounded, and where no 
daylight ever comes. A bit comes into the upper room through 
openings near the top. It is lighted as are the prisons in many 
of the old chateaux one visits. . . At present my beds are all 
occupied with the wounded who have come in from the attack 
of August 31. . .Then came all this terrible and wonderful 
but heart-rending work. I was on my feet for thirty-six hours 
and did not even feel tired. Such mutilated men. . . arms and 
legs and chins shot off, . . . gaping wounds everywhere. You 
cannot imagine seeing these men arrive. . . men, yes, every 
one of them, . . . and wonderful men at that, . . . the greater 
number boys of just twenty, . . .all the youth of France! . . . 
I shall never forget one horrible human mass I saw lying in 
the bed of the Salle de Preparation; I approached him and 
saw that there was no hope. I was about to turn to another 
when two arms — the only sound parts of this body left then, 
— double fracture of both legs, abdominal wounds, ... no 
face left, save a handsome forehead, crowned with blonde 
hair, and a pair of tragic eyes, — two strong arms stretched 
to me and encircling me, . . . drew me towards him. If I never 
had a maternal sentiment in my life, I certainly felt it strongly 
then, and I thank God I could stay by that dying boy, and 
knew and felt I was a comfort to him. He could not speak, 
... he had no tongue, no teeth, no jaw, but the horror faded 
a bit from the dying eyes, and I asked the Aide to give the 
piquere of morphine so that I did not have to leave him until 



156 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

the very end. . . Perhaps I may be able to say to some poor 
mother, before many weeks pass, "I was with your boy when 
he died. " . . .You cannot imagine how many letters we re- 
ceive from mothers, wives, and sisters, and how great a con- 
solation it is to them to know that a woman was with their 
loved one. . . Tonight we had a gas scare. And the orders 
came from the command to put the masks on all the wounded. 
You can imagine how good that is for men wounded in the 
breast. I rushed forth to shut my vent hole and put a wet 
sheet in front of it when suddenly I felt my nose strangely 
pricked as if mustard had been put up my nostrils. My 
wounded lay there in their beds with those hideous masks 
over their faces, until finally when I saw my two men, wounded 
in the breast were suffering, I gave orders of my own accord 
to take them off. . . The Colonel passed and said laughing 
"Oh the wretches, they have taken off their masks, and 
Madame Benoist d'Azy gives them the bad example. "... It 
is now past midnight, and nothing new has come, but the gas 
bombs have been flying over us with a curious whiz. . . In my 
Salle, right here, I have twelve heroes, I am proud of them 
all. . . I wish you could have seen a little soldier weep when 
he left me, and see poor old me trying hard not to do the same. 
. . . Then a Senegalais, who coupled my name always with 
Allah, ... to him I was "Maman" which an old Colonial officer 
told me was a term of endearment and great respect. . . He had 
the beginning of gas gangrene and was near death. He often 
said "Senegalais fini demain, " (Senegalese will be dead to- 
morrow). The day he realized he was cured, he laughed, 
showing all his white teeth and said "Maman guerit Senega- 
lais. II y a bon;" (in broken French, "Maman cured Senega- 
lese, it is good"). ... I am about two miles north of the river 
Aisne in the direction of the second Verdun, and we hear all 
the fighting around the Chemin des Dames. Our Ambulance 
is spared because we have told the Germans that if they 
touch it, their own Ambulance, of which we command a much 
better sight than they do of ours, will be shelled without 
mercy, so you see, we are really not in much danger. . . . 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 157 

I open my letter Sept. 6, to send you this bit of news: 
I know you will be glad: they have given me the Croix de 
Guerre! ... I knew nothing about it beforehand, absolutely 
nothing. .. The morning the 151st Division was to leave, 
the General in command, Des Vallieres, came to say good-bye 
to his wounded. He came to my Salle to make the round, 
then he stopped in the middle, we around him, the dear old 
Medecin-chef, the Aide de Camp du General, the Medecin- 
principal du Division, and the Etat-majeur de l'Ambulance. 
The General made a beautiful speech to the Medecin-chef for 
the good the Ambulance had done, then suddenly, taking a 
big paper which his Aide de Camp held, he began: 

"Le General Commandant le 151st Division, cite a 
POrdre du Jour, Mme. Benoist d'Azy (Carrie Mary Jones)," 
Voluntary Infirmarian, in an advanced surgical post, in this 
locality subjected to bombardment, has not ceased to give 
night and day, with unbounded devotion, care to the seriously 
wounded, extending her solicitude to their families. She has 
lavished her care and delicate attentions particularly during 
the days of August 19 till Septembe. 5, 1917. 

Signed, The General Commandant of the 151st Division, 
Vallieres. 

The General then pinned on my Croix de Guerre, saying 
to me, "I give it to you as to one of my soldiers." I almost 
wept. . . the Aide, also the old Medecin-chef and even the 
General had tears in their eyes. It was quite moving, . . . and 
I was so stunned, so surprised, while I felt badly that the 
other three women did not receive something. They were 
very sweet about it, and I do hope some day they will have 
the same honor. . . I forgot to say how delighted all my poor 
little wounded were when I was decorated, and how I appre- 
ciated the way all was done, quietly in the Salle, before those 
only for whom I had worked so hard. ... I am taking my two 
weeks' vacation soon. . . Tell x I know she will be pleased to 
know her old sister proudly wears the Croix de Guerre. . . I 
write from my room, — three dying men, . . . and my service 
receives the wounded tonight. . . 



158 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

September u, IQ17. 

My room, which is one corner of this old chauteau, on the 
second floor, has considerably suffered from bombardment. . . 
one side of the wall is entirely cracked, and when a bomb 
falls near, the crack becomes larger, and often my door gently 
opens, a rather unpleasant impression at night, an uncanny 
one,. . . When we hear that terrible tire de barrage! when 
we think of the poor human beings under it, when at two 
miles this old house shakes, and the sky is all aglare, . . . and 
then to see them come in, those poor, senseless, bleeding masses 
... So many nights I have been up until seven A. M., caring 
for them, warming them, putting them to bed after 
their operations, holding them on the operating table, 
and then in the morning, haggard, covered with blood, 
— a sight to look at, — I still do not feel tired, for I 
really believe God helps me to get the necessary strength. 
You can't imagine the wounds we see, — entire faces 
blown off, hands and arms and legs that are no more, 
abdomens with fifteen wounds in the intestine, lungs laid 
open to view, so that the breathing sounds like a windmill, 
... all this in our caves underground, while above our heads 
we hear the shells burst. . . it is real war here, such as I never 
knew it could be. . . And beside all this, often comes a Heavenly 
scene, . . . the death bed of a little soldier, dying like a hero 
and a saint. 

Paris, October 1. 

I am in Paris for ten days plus two because of my cita- 
tion. I have much to do and must hurry. . . My love to each 
one of the dear nuns I know, for I love the Community. . . 

Paris, October 16, 1917. 

I must send you a few lines, as I have a chance to have 
this mailed in America by Mrs. D., who sails in a few days. 
Of My Croix de Guerre, and my Citation, . . . this time I 
may tell you all of the names. I was named to Meurival in 
May. I did not have the work I wanted, so requested to be 
sent nearer the Front to an Ambulance in the cellar of the 
Chateau de Beaurieux, where no woman had yet been allowed. 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 159 

I finally obtained permission for myself and Mile. Dupuy, 
and we arrived there to assist at the terrible attacks of July, 
and the scarcely less intense ones of August and early Sep- 
tember. General Niessel was the one who wrote me the letter 
I sent you, and General Des Vallieres decorated me with the 
Croix de Guerre, the first at the end of July, and the second on 
September fifth or sixth. . . I am working while in Paris to 
have people give me things and I hope they will. I want my 
dear wounded to be as comfortable as possible. You know 
we only have those who would die if they were sent a few 
kilometres back, and we save fifty per cent, of those who are 
operated on, perhaps only thirty per cent, of those who stop 
at our Ambulance, but those thirty would also die if they were 
not stopped there. I am sending you a little picture of my 
Salle. Beginning from left to right, leaning over a wounded 
man is Dr. Rendee of Parish then myself, Dr. Kaufmann, 
Mile. Dupuy, and the Medecin-chef of the Ambulance for 
line nine. Dr. Fessor of Angers, and last, the Infirmier-Bretre, 
Durand. He is leaning against what I call my chicken ladder, 
a stairway put up in one day, after the wounded had all been 
carried to the cellars, when the 150 Boche broke through 
the front of the cellar. First I had the upper and lower floors, 
and Mile. Dupuy two other Salles, but then two more women 
came, and now I have only this one, but it is hard work all 
day and many nights, for each man is so seriously wounded. 
. . . Here everything is very primitive, there is no running 
water, and no waste pipe, while all the service is done by means 
of my chicken ladder. You may imagine it does not simplify 
matters. 

Ambulance 5-22. Novembre II, 1917. 
I have a picture of you here, and a picture postal of 
Brown County, so I can often evoke you, where you are. . . 
The Boches have retired some distance, and we hear the cannon 
not so often. . . The avions come over, of course, but of late 
I think it has been more to photograph our lines than to throw 
their deadly bombs. Two weeks ago we were bombarded, 
that is, four obus fell, all four within a few yards of the Ambu- 
lance. Every pane of glass was shattered. One man was killed 
and three wounded. It is said that one of our obus struck 



160 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

their Ambulance and they paid us back quadruple. . . We 
dominate their Ambulance and could annihilate it did we so 
wish. 

Paris, 8 Fevrier, igi8. 
Your box of chocolates came to me here in Paris. I am 
on my way back to the Front and I will, of course, take the 
candies to my Poilus with joy, telling them where they came 
from. I am in the heart of Paris and was bombarded two 
nights ago. This card shows you where two of the bombs fell. 
... I am in a hurry to get back, as I imagine there is work 
to do, at my Ambulance, and I can say to them that I have 
come from bombardment to bombardment. . . I spoke the 
other day to some American soldiers, — four, — they were all 
from Ohio, two of them from Middletown, — so I spoke to 
them of Brown County, and they both had known girls who 
had been at school there. 

Avril 23, iqi8. 
Dearest Little Sister: 

It is the eve of the anniversary of our dear father's death, 
and I want to have a little talk with you. I don't think I can 
go to Mass tomorrow, for I am on night watch, and may not 
go to bed till morning, in fact, I may not go at all. Last time 
I was still up at nine-thirty A. M., having been receiving the 
wounded since nine P. M. However, since then we have had 
little to do, and now I have only four gravely wounded lads. 
On our right the cannon are roaring much more than on the 
left, where the great battle is going on. . . I think the Boches 
are meditating another attack so as to take us by surprise. 
There seems to be a calm for the moment, and the permission 
for leaves, which were stopped since March twenty-third, 
have begun again. As I have a right to go since the fifteenth 
of April, I may now start, and I assure you, I look forward 
to this rest with delight. These last times have been terribly 
wearing. . . we have had many and many a tragedy. . . At 
night we received many wounded. My last night de garde we 
received twelve, of whom two died, and another is, I fear, 
doomed. We have had complications of late from urenie. . . 
so that all sorts of tragic things happen. One poor little lad . . . 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 161 

who wanted so much to live — only nineteen years old — was 
brought here wounded in the abdomen, in the thigh, and the 
arm. His horrible wounds were getting along nicely, when 
he showed symptoms of tetanus (lockjaw), then he became 
violently, terribly insane. All the other wounded were carried 
from my Salle, and I was delegated with an Infirmier-pretre 
to take care of him. I passed six days constantly beside him. 
At moments he would know me and be so sweet, at others he 
would want to kill me, and be most terribly violent, holding 
my wrists or ringers so tight that it would be painful. Had it 
not been for the fact that he was paralyzed throughout his 
vertebral column, he would have been dangerous. After 
three nights of constant care I went off for a short sleep 
when they came to tell me that the end had come. I hastened 
down and found my poor little martyr calm, conscious, but 
unable to speak. I bent over him and kissed him on the fore- 
head, the Abbe and I said prayers, when the eyes of the dying 
boy turned towards me with such a world of intense feeling 
in them that I shall never forget them. Then he stopped 
breathing gently, and all was over. I was so completely broken 
up that I disappeared for part of the day before taking up my 
work again. We are sad indeed over late events. The English 
could not hold it out against the onslaught of the Germans 
and, had not our little Poilus come to the rescue, I think the 
hated Huns would be already in Paris. Do not be worried be- 
cause I am going up to Paris on permission, for my part of 
Paris has not been touched by the bombardment. You have, 
of course, heard that Good Friday a bomb fell upon the church 
of St. Gervaise during Tenebrae, killing many, especially 
women and children. Their next exploit was to send an obus 
into the maternity hospital of Baudeloque, near the Luxem- 
bourg Gardens. There many mothers to new-born babes were 
killed. It seems as though chance served them to make them- 
selves more and more odious as time goes on. 

.Paris, June g, igi8. 

I wrote you some days ago, as I feared you might think 
I was in the fearful melee of May 27. Alas, I was "en per- 
mission", in Paris, otherwise I would now be dead or in the 



162 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

hands of the Boche. The three poor girls I left at Beaurieux. 
. . . leaves in the storm! ... I have been crazy with anxiety 
and sorrow over my beloved Ambulance, my dear blesses and 
the two companions of all these months of hard work. The 
third Infirmiere was a little English girl sent to do my work 
while I was taking a rest. In my former letter I told you all 
I knew of that terrible twenty-seventh of May. On the twenty- 
sixth they wrote me from the Ambulance that all was quiet 
along the Front. I received this on Monday at one o'clock. 
A few minutes after, Charles J. telephoned me saying in ener- 
getic language that Beaurieux was already overrun. I rushed 
to the Gare de l'Est and begged to go. They treated me with 
disdain, saying that in a few moments the evacuees would be 
coming in, — that the railroads were all choked, that it was 
impossible, simply crazy. Then, little by little, I learned the 
awful truth — At one A. M. on Monday, May twenty-seventh, 
the Boches, who we thought were reinforcing on the Somme, 
began a bombardment all along the Chemins des Dames, 
which was defended on the right by the British, and on the 
left by the French. The bombardment continued until four 
A. M. Then the Boches began their forward march, aided by 
gas waves which preceded them. Over the little Ailette, up 
the north side of the Chemin des Dames they came, then 
rushed down upon all that beautiful valley of the Aisne, 
which I had left only a few days before — a regret. It was so 
fertile, so flowing, — the fruit trees were beginning to lose 
their blossoms, the lilacs were still in bloom, and already the 
peonies were budding. It was exquisite, that corner of our 
fair France, and I wondered how it could be so, when less 
than four years the hated boche had been there. I said a long 
good-bye to our little cemetery with its 12,000 dead, morts 
pour la patrie! . . . My poor Beaurieux was the very first village 
invaded and they had passed it before ten A. M. I have seen 
dozens of civilians from there and no two stories are the same, 
but from what I could gather, my Infirmieres would not 
leave, because their wounded had to be left, they were too 
intransportable to be moved. The hordes swept over past 
Beaurieux and by six P. M. were at Fismes south of us. Now 
the battle is passing far beyond Beaurieux, and I fancy my 
little war home is quieter than it has ever been. But of course 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 163 

we can hear nothing. The fighting is between Paris and the 
Somme, Oise, and Marne. I hope to get news through the 
Swiss Red Cross and by the intermediary of the Princesse 
Immacules de Bourbon, married, alas, to Prince Jean Georges 
of Saxe, brother of the King. The Princesse, as a girl, was an 
intimate friend of my niece, Paule de Rocher, and she has 
already helped me with regard to the son of Madam X who was 
wounded and a prisoner in Dresden. I am awaiting orders 
and expect to be sent to a new post very soon. 

June 13. 

The battle still rages. The Boches are doing their best 
to win before the Americans come in, but I believe that God 
is on our side, — only we must suffer. They tell us the Boches 
have forty Berthes pointed towards Paris. . . If this is true 
much of dear Paris will be injured. Paris is more empty than 
it ever has been. At eight last evening I had occasion to come 
up the Boulevarde Houssman, I saw one taxi and no other 
vehicle as far as the eye could see, — think of that in Paris in 
June! ! ! My love — 

Carrie. 

Paris, June 28, 1918. 

I really feel like apologizing to the families of the other 
Infirmieres because I am not with them, fate is indeed a strange 
thing! Here was my dear Beaurieux that I obtained by dint 
of hard work, because they did not want to put women so 
near the Front, I had to make two trips to Paris and knock 
at several doors to obtain it. I stayed there for over a year. 
I was to have come up "en permission" the last of April, 
and my conge was to have ended May 20th, but there were 
delays about my being replaced so that I came nearly a month 
later. Had I started when I should, I would have returned 
just two days before that fiendish drive of the Boche, — alas, 
here I am in Paris — while my Infirmieres are all prisoners. 
As yet we know nothing of their fate. It is, of course, awfully 
hard to have lost all my belongings. I am expecting to go back, 
and I long to be with my beloved soldiers. . . The very sight 
of them going along the streets makes me almost tearful. 



164 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

God bless them! I see a great many of our own boys, too, 
the wounded ones are frequently around the streets. Yester- 
day there was a "Movie " or, as we over here call it, a " Cincine " 
given by the Americans. It was called "L'Effort Americain", 
and it showed much of the wonderful work of preparation that 
has been done by ours over here. It was most interesting and 
was frantically applauded, and I am more and more proud 
of our men. They have done fine fighting and they get on 
beautifully with the French soldiers. I think, too, that the 
English are a little jealous of them, for they feel that the 
sympathy is really so true between the French and American 
soldier. We are told today that Paris will probably be terribly 
bombarded, I doubt if that be so, and at any rate it is war now 
to the last drop of Boche blood. 

Carrie. 



Paris, 10 Juillet, 1018. 

It never occurred to me in all the excitement and trouble 
over here, that you dear ones in America would be worried 
so much about me. . . I wrote immediately after that terrible 
drive of May twenty-seventh a long letter, ... to notify you 
that I was out of it. Evidently, . . . you did not receive my 
letter. I am so, so sorry that I was "en permission" instead 
of being at my Ambulance in the very moment that they 
most needed me. I would only have been a prisoner, though, 
as are the three others, but I know I could have helped morally 
as well as by my efficiency, which is Yankee-kind, and very 
good in emergency. . . I have been a la peine, mais pas a 
l'honneur! . . . have had the hard drudgery for months, but 
I will not have the glory. My comrades will have it all and 
they merit it. . . Had I been there I would have deprived them 
of nothing and would have shared their glory. However, 
that was not to be. (Subsequent letters, supplying the link 
lost in the lost May letter, tell how in that May Drive the other 
ladies nursing with her were taken prisoners, and it is not 
known what became of their French wounded. A rumor 
came later through Switzerland to the effect that these nurses 
were allowed to nurse French prisoners, but where is not 
known.) ... I did have the satisfaction, however, of knowing 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 165 

that I was not forgotten, for in his report about Beaurieux, 
the Inspector-General of our Armee said, after speaking in 
warmest terms of my comrades, — "Madame Benoist d'Azy, 
happily, on " Permission ", with Mile. Dupuy, may be considered 
among the A's of Infirmiejres. A means Ace, and is a term 
used for soldiers who distinguish themselves. You see I am 
blowing my own trumpet, but I am only blowing it to my 
dear little Sister, who I know loves me as I love her. As In- 
firmiere-chef, I was obliged to give in notes on the work, to 
complete those already given. I suppose from the whole will 
be made a fine citation when they receive their Croix. . . . 
When the war is over I shall come over to America as quickly 
as I can, to be with you all, you dear ones. . . I hope Brown 
County will be willing to give me shelter for a time. You 
will find me a grey-haired old lady. . . but I think with lots 
of spirit left. . . The French Militaires say that the Marines 
are wonderful, the best troops we have. I suppose the sad 
lists are beginning to arrive in America now, and our own 
country over there will learn what poor France has endured 
for four years. At times it seems as if our men were too tired 
out to continue, — they seem to drag along; then comes urgent 
need, and they rush forward driving the enemy back and taking 
many prisoners. Our men, — this time I mean the Americans, 
— say that the Boche is no good as a fighter single-handed; 
he must fight en masse. ... As both French and Americans say 
this, it must be true. The censor over here is very severe 
during the time troops are in front of the enemy. Please give 
much love to the dear nuns, — all I know, — for to know them 
is to love them. . . Don't worry if you hear accounts of the 
night raids on Paris, and the visits of the "Grosse Berthe" 
in the daytime. No one notices them much. I don't even go 
down to the cellar. I slept soundly through the worst one, 
which we had about three weeks ago. 

Paris, July 21, iqi8. 

Only a line to tell you that I have another citation, this 
time a l'Ordre de l'Armee, and which gives me the right to 
put a palm on the ribbon of my Croix de Guerre, next to the 
silver star, already there, and which indicated the citation a 



166 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

l'Ordre de la Division. Of course, the palm is a more important 
one, but it is often given in especial cases, whereas the silver 
star, my first citation, — shows that I have been right in the 
midst of it. Well, this is my citation: 

"Detailed for more than a year to the surgical post 
at Beaurieux, she has rendered signal service by her 
devotedness unbounded, and for her constant attention 
to the wounded. Under the most violent bombardments 
she has never departed from her calmness, and has always 
maintained the most beautiful attitude throughout the 
most critical situations." 

General des Vallieres, who gave me my Croix de Guerre, 
September last, was killed recently, and I feel very badly 
about his death. He was a magnificent soldier and was 
adored by his men. . . I hope my Infirmieres will soon return 
to France. The news from the Front is fine, French and Amer- 
icans advancing rapidly, and they adore each other. 

. . . What is done at home is fine, and sweet and lovely, 
so much better than is done by some of the people who have 
come over here to work in the numerous branches, but who 
in their hearts come really for a lark. Their name is legion. 
Although there are many good, fine, hard workers whom I 
admire immensely for their untiring zeal. I have had word 
from my companions at last, who are well treated and are 
allowed to take care of the French wounded. Meantime I 
am waiting for a Post near the Front. The success of the Allied 
forces these days is wonderful, — there seems no stopping. 
The Americans are magnificent. I love the idea of the church 
bells ringing in New York to Celebrate the victories over the 
hated Boches. Well, though I did not have the honor given 
to my companions, — I mean that of accepting captivity for 
the sake of staying with their wounded, ... I am pleased and 
touched that I should have been remembered in such moments 
of trial and upheaval. . . I am still waiting and am almost 
totally alone in Paris, everyone having gone off to get away 
from the heat, — for very few of them are among those who 
fled in fear some time ago. It is strange how one becomes 
accustomed to everything. When the avions came over us at 
night I never budged, and now scarcely any one does; the 
carnivalesque parade down to the cellars always amused me 



ALUMNAE LETTERS 167 

when I came from the Front, and yet I thought it right to 
take the children down there. But now few people move, — 
it is really too much trouble. As for Berthe — this time she 
hardly sent anything, — a few weak obus, — a point — c'est 
tout. It seems that the Boche sheets proclaim the cruelty 
of the Americans, and say that they will probably come soon 
to the use of the tomahawk! 

D'Ouville, August 30, 191 8. 
. . . Just a few words, as I wish to tell you myself some- 
thing which I fear will make you feel badly, but you must not 
worry about me, as I am only grateful that it is not worse. To 
come straight to the point. When I received my last citation, 
the Inspector-General told me that I should take a good rest 
before returning to the Front, as he had been informed by my 
oculist that I was not in condition to bear any further strain 
at present. So, being compelled to rest until September, I 
came here to spend a month with my dear good friend, Mme. 
Fazende, in her lovely villa by the sea. I arrived at noon and 
the pain in my eye was so bad that I retired at once to my room. 
When Mme. F. came to me at tea time, she was, as I afterwards 
learned, shocked at the change in my appearance. She sent 
at once for the doctor, who tried at once to relieve the pain. 
By morning he declared that unless the eye was removed 
before night, he would not be responsible. My oculist was 
telegraphed for, but he was in the trenches with some of our 
dear American boys. Finally, Madame Fazende secured an 
auto, — you know all private autos have been requisitioned 
by the government, — and sent to Lisieux for an oculist. 
When he came, he insisted upon removing the eye at once. 
When Madame Fazende told me of his decision I asked if my 
life were in danger and she said yes, — I told her that I was 
perfectly willing. I had endured forty hours of such pain . . . 
I do not think anyone could endure it long with a sound mind. 
An operating room was prepared. I asked to administer the 
anaesthetic to myself. So I walked into the room, took my 
place on the table, inhaled the chloroform, felt the numbness, 
began to count, and the next thing I knew, the doctor was 
carrying me to my room. The pain was gone, but my poor 
eye, too. You must not feel badly. I have seen others lose 



168 ALUMN AE YEAR BOOK 

so much more that I could not complain. . . My friends are 
trying to make a War-heroine out of me — so I let them satisfy 

their affectionate impulses, but I do not claim any such glory 

Carrie. 

_ t • 7 o • Paris, October 14, igi8. 

Dear Little bister: 

I was so pleased and so gratified by your sweet note, 
that I want to thank you for it at once, and to tell you how 
thankful I was that dear little Carrie was able to reach me, 
and that I could help her through her terrible ordeal. I should 
begin by apologizing for not having cabled for permission to 
assume such a heavy responsibility, but there was no time, — 
the thing had to be done at once, — her life was in danger. . . 
When on that Friday morning the doctor told me that unless 
her eye could be removed before nightfall, he could not answer 
for her at all, you can understand what lay before me. . . I 
hid nothing from her. . . when she asked if her life was in danger 
and I told her yes, she put her arms around me and told me 
it was all right and I could do just all the doctors wanted. 
I had had a spare room prepared. She walked to it, placed her- 
self on the table, after kissing me, and in half an hour it was all 
over, and she was carried by one of the doctors back to her 
bed. She rallied from that moment, never had an ache all 
through August and September, and is looking wonderfully 
well now. We never left her alone, so she has not had time to 
brood over her trouble, and is now with friends, . . . she will 
not be disfigured. . . her oculist is an expert, ... so that our 
sweet Carrie will show very little of the loss she went through 
three weeks ago. . . Since I read the analysis, I have been very 
thankful to have been able to act as I did. She is such a dear, 
and has been so devoted and heroic in helping all who needed 
aid and comfort. . . but her spirit never fails her, and she is 
such an example to us all. . . . She comes in every day like a 
ray of sunshine, and never once have I heard a word of com- 
plaint or regret for her loss. She is truly blest with the lovliest 
disposition I have ever come across. I call her my "Rayon de 
Soleil" (Ray of Sunshine), and nothing expresses her better. 
Yours in love and prayer, 

E. K. Fazende. 



<Mtrers of tfje alumnae association 



IXHwrarp fJtefiiBentB 

Mrs. Mary Gomier Freschard Mrs. Florence Syms L'Hommedieu 

Mrs. Katherine Denver Williams, 227 Locust St., Wilmington, Ohio 

iFtrst $ice=|)reatijent 

One of the Brown County Nuns 

Creaettro 

Mrs. Florence Maginnis Lynn, 123 Putnam Ave., Zanesville, Ohio 

Mrs. Jennie Freschard Wagner, Sydney, Ohio 

CorogponUmg Secretarp 

Mrs. Florence Grever Ryan, 1560 Dixmont Ave., Walnut Hills, 
Cincinnati, Ohio 

State eite|)regtoentfi 

Mrs. Rose McPhillips Rydenhour 
Mrs. Virginia Walker Martin 
Miss Marie Mullen 
Mrs. Margaret Hurd Davis 
. Mrs. Elizabeth Worthington Costello 
Miss Kate Law- 
Mrs. Agnes Bremner Maher 
Mrs. Fannie Borgess Thompson 
Mrs. Laura Alexander Wiggins 
Mrs. Leila Porteous Pond 
Mrs. Arabella Piatt Worthington 
Mrs. Fannie Desnoyers Moran 
Mrs. Henrietta Prenatt Green 
Mrs. Sallie Cocks Williams 
Mrs. Lillie Rosecrans Toole 
. Mrs. Caddie Maginnis Babcock 
Mrs. Mary Bloomer Duane 
Mrs. Julia Worthington Macdonald 



Alabama . 

Arkansas . 

California 

Colorado . 

District of Columbia 

Georgia 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Kentucky 

Louisiana 

Maryland 

Michigan . 

Missouri . 

Mississippi 

Montana . 

New York 

Ohio 

Oregon 



170 



ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



Pennsylvania 

Tennessee 

Texas 

Virginia 

England 

Germany 

France 

Italy 



Mrs. Clara Biddle Davis 

Mrs. Elizabeth Magevney Sullivan 

Mrs. Gene Sterne Leick 

Comtesse d'Adhemar (n£e Marguerite Labrot) 

Mrs. Mary Porteous Snead-Cox 

Mrs. Emma Mackenzie Pauli 

Comtesse Benoist d'Azy (nee Carrie Jones) 

Miss Agnes Lincoln 



Miss Gertrude Hulsman 
Mrs Sara Liebke Hatton 



Director* 



Mrs. Katherine Elster Kelly 
Mrs. Ada Boyle Wetterer 



3Ltst of Members 



Alabama 

Mrs. Henrietta McPhillips Feagin 
Mrs. Rose Woodworth McPhillips 

Rydenhour 
Mrs. Alice McPhillips Tonsmeire 
Mrs. Edna Shiraz Blair 

Arkansas 

Mrs. Virginia Walker Martin 
Miss Nora Miles 

California 

Miss Adelaide Brevoort Cannon 
Miss Bettie Carter 
Mrs. Sallie Finicane Drake 
Miss Ethel Foraker 
Mrs. Merrill Couden Hart 
Mrs. Lizette Maginnis Miller 
Miss Marie Mullen 
Mrs. Clara Bartlett Shideler 
Mrs. Fannie Freese Thomas 
*Mrs. Mary Foster Wood 

Colorado 

Mrs. Margaret Hurd Davis 

Dakota 

*Mrs. Menza Rosecrans Burke 

District of Columbia 

Mrs. Elizabeth Worthington Costello 
Miss Louise Adams 

Florida 

Mrs. Cora Miller Bain 
Mrs. Blanche Lucke McGarry 
Mrs. Mame Brown Williams 
Miss Alberta Majewski 

Georgia 

Miss Kate Law 

Illinois 

Miss Edith Allen 

Mrs. J. P. Barrett 

Miss Margaret Barrett 

Mrs. Matie Vanderveer Brown 

Miss Virginia Davies 

Mrs. Gertrude Barrett Gauldin 

Miss Adele Grant 

Mrs. May Neal Harrington 

*Deceased. 



Miss Josephine Jones 
Miss Margaret Jones 
Mrs. Hilda Strauss Katz 
Mrs. Irene Sullivan Kelly 
Miss Marcella Kullman 
Miss Henrietta Macdonald 
Mrs. Agnes Bremner Maher 
Mrs. Harriet Bartelme Tideman 
Mrs. Bertha Wagner Weber 
Mrs. Mary Parry Whitcomb 
Miss Anna Smith 
Mrs. Helen Oswald 

Indiana 

Miss Helen Black 

Miss Esther Black 

Mrs. Estelle McKay Bohn 

Miss Kate Dunn 

Mrs. Mary Reaume Drum 

Mrs. Fanny Borgess Thompson 

Miss Charlotte Thompson 

Miss Corinna Switzer 

Miss Charlotte Mullarkey 

Miss Mary Latimer 

Kentucky 

Mrs. Mary Baird Ardery 
Mrs. Helen Armstrong Baker 
Miss Ella Cawthon 
Miss Mary Gale Cawthon 
Mrs. Belle O'Hara Clark 
*Mrs. Lizzie Alexander Clay 
*Mrs. Lida Matson Connors 
Mrs. Louise Hoffman Coleman 
Mrs. Norma Giunchigliani Conway 
Miss Margaret Davis 
Mrs. Sallie Phillips Durrett 
Miss Edith Ellerhorst 
Mrs. Mary O'Reilly Francke 
Mrs. Nellie Barringer Blair 
Mrs. Belle Piatt Carroll 
Mrs. Ophelia Taylor Hoppins 
*Mrs. Lizzie Byrne Jansing 
Mrs. Albertina Schumann Little 
Mrs. Callie Holton McClure 
Miss Margaret Malone 
Mrs. Jessie Davie Mantle 
Mrs. Olie Ellerhorst Nelson 
Mrs. Sallie Durrett Thompson 
Mrs. Gail Brasher Parsons 
Mrs. Emma Geisel Parry 
Mrs. Josephine O'Hara Reed 
Mrs. Clara Ellerhorst Senour 



172 



ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



Miss Ella Swager Sherley 
Mrs. Mary Slattery Service 
Miss Elizabeth Steele 
*Mrs. Elizabeth Clay Thomas 
Mrs. Gertrude Longworth Thomas 
Mrs. Laura Shelton Thomas 
Mrs. Laura Alexander Wiggins 
Miss Rachel Wiggins 

Louisiana 
*Mrs. Josephine Hoskins Christy 
Mrs. Sherdie Maginnis Krebs 
Miss Katherine Krebs 
Mrs. Lelia Porteous Pond 
Miss Laura Porteous 
Miss Grace Martin 
Mrs. Edith Askam Ryan 

Maryland 

Mrs. Lucy Daugherty Aman 
Mrs. Arabella Piatt Worthington 
Mrs. Kate Butler Lucas White 

Massachusetts 

Mrs. Mary Wagner Gore 
Mrs. Dorothy Matthews Harrington 
*Mrs. Edith Hayes Dolan 

Michigan 

Mrs. Mattie Murray Bookmeyer 
Mrs. Fannie Desnoyers Moran 
Mrs. Mary Murphy McClure 
Miss Rosella Burns 
Mrs. Alice Bardo Lux 

Minnesota 

Mrs. Lena Sheay Regan 

Mississippi 

Mrs. Sallie Cocks Williams 

Missouri 

Mrs. Josie Daly Anderson 

Miss Bessie Bauduy 

Miss Olivia Lee Ghio 

Mrs. Henrietta Prenatt Green 

Miss Genevieve Green 

Mrs. Sara Liebke Hatton 
*Mrs. Mary Hoffman Jordan 

Mrs. Alice Pirn Kay 

Mrs. Katherine Fearons Keefer 

Mrs. Nettie Green Maguire 

Mrs Hattie Basham Meier 
*Mrs. Sallie Basham Montgomery 

Mrs. Lena Reichert Renner 
*Mrs. Carrie Bush Shreve 

♦Deceased. 



Montana 

Mrs. Lily Rosecrans Toole 

Nebraska 

*Mrs. Celia Taggert McShane 

Nevada 

Mrs. Louise Burns Gibson 

New Jersey 

Mrs. Mary Denver Lindley 
*Mrs. Mary Scammon Jones 
Mrs. Sallie Dutton Thompson 
Mrs. Ruth Church Sheldon 
Mrs. Eliza Church Merrill 

New York 

Mrs. Caddie Maginnis Babcock 
Miss Ruth Babcock 
Mrs. Belle Brandenburg Bates 
Mrs. Agnes Boulger Brennan 
Mrs. Mollie Sullivan Cassidy 
Mrs. Grace Kehoe Grace 

*Mrs. Eloise Wright Lee 
Mrs. Katherine Lemcke Hicks 
Miss Nellie Lowenberg 
Miss Louise Marsh 

*Mrs. Henrietta Woodworth Manning 
Mrs. Winifred Jones Ovitt 
Mrs. Mamie Sullivan Schultze 
Mrs. Caroline Robinson Stevens 
Miss Anna Bird Stewart 
Mrs. Florence Smith Van Cleve 
Mrs. Genevieve Hackett Wessel 
Mrs. Marguerite Clarke Williams 

Ohio 

Miss Mary Elizabeth Ambrose 
Miss Anna Arnold 
Miss Salome Augustin 
Miss Nellie Burns 
Miss Pauline Bosart 
Miss Alice Collins 
Mrs. Marie Evans Bond 
Mrs. Sallie Owens Bailey 
*Mrs. Mary Fee Baldwin 
Miss Marguerite Balmert 
Mrs. Alice Boyle Bering 
Mrs. Lulu Bering Busch 
Mrs. Bessie Clevenger Blackburn 
Mrs. Nellie Barringer Blair 
Mrs. Ellen O'Driscoll Brasher 
Mrs. Jessie Brasher Brown 
Miss Mary Bray 
Mrs. Marguerite Ibold Broeman 
Miss Irma Buhrman 
Mrs. Mary Murphy Burns 



LIST OF MEMBERS 



173 



Miss Fannie Cahill 


Miss Irene Hickey 


Miss Gertrude Cahill 


Mrs. Florence Syms L'Hommedieu 


Miss Alice Casey- 


Miss Alma L'Hommedieu 


Miss Alice Collins 


Mrs. Blanche Thomas Harris 


Miss Grace Connole 


Mrs. Kate Anderen Ire ton 


Miss Bernice Connole 


Mrs. Edna Dunkin Jaquith 


Miss Lucille Carroll 


Miss Eufemia Johnson 


Miss Katherine Champlin 


Miss Elizabeth Jones 


Mrs. Elizabeth Closterman Calloway 


*Miss Laura Jones 


Mrs. Mary Keeley Connell 


*Mrs. Eliza Miller Joyce 
Miss Elizabeth Kealhofer 


*Mrs. Helen Hunter Cornyn 


Mrs. Margaret Murray Daly 


*Miss Anne Kearney 


Mrs. Fannie Dimmit Davis 


Mrs. Loretto Martin Keller 


Miss Marian Dickerson 


Mrs. Katherine Elster Kelly 


Mrs. Josephine Clasgens Ditmar 


Miss Fanny Kelly 


Miss Bessie Dohan 


Mrs. Annie Hall King 


Mrs. Lillie Griewe Dolle 


Mrs. Lizzie Griffin King 


Mrs. Veronica Lundy Donovan 


Miss Helen King 


Mrs. Fannie Bering Doppes 


Miss Julia Klinkenberg 


Mrs. Mary Bloomer Duane 


Miss Florence Klinkenberg 


Miss Marie Duane 


Mrs. Lillian Tibbies Koch 


Miss Elsie Duane 


Miss Adele Kipp 


*Miss Edna Dudley 


Mrs. Cecilia Weber Langen 


Mrs. Frances Wise Dunham 


Mrs. Mary Berry Lawler 


Mrs. Phoebe Edwards Durham 


Mrs. Angela King Lindsay 


Miss Anna Du Bruhl 


Miss Marian Lindsay 


Mrs. Katrina Aull Enneking 


*Miss Irene Love 


Miss Katherine Egan 


Miss Margaret Lyman 


Mrs. Susan Andrews Eger 


Miss Florence Lyman 


Mrs. Rose Thorner Eisfelder 


Mrs. Florence Maginnis Lynn 


Mrs. Lenora Myers Ellis 


Miss Agnes Little 


Mrs. Alice Von Phul Epply 
Mrs. Helen Hale Edwards 


Miss Helen Lemmon 


Miss Agnes McCune 


Mrs. Margaret Love Evans 


Miss Grace McCune 


Mrs. Mary Arnold Favret 


Miss Margaret Mclntyre 


Mrs. Emma Goepper Feemster 


Miss Eleanor McDevitt 


Mrs. Louise Gough Folsom 


Mrs. Ellen Ryan McGlinchy 


Mrs. Kate Maguire Frese 


Mrs. Ella Ferguson McNamara 


Mrs. Mary Gomier Freschard 


Miss Florence McNamara 


Miss Mary Freschard 


Mrs. Pazzi Roberts Macdonald 


Miss Clara Freschard 


Miss Kittie Mackenzie 


Mrs. Augusta Stroble Furste 


Mrs. Johanna Dwyer Madigan 


Mrs. Alma Dekkebach Furste 


Mrs. Sallie Freese Magee 


Miss Zita Fallon 


Mrs. Edna Fox Maloney 


Mrs. Mary Sexton Geisler 


Miss Elizabeth Martin 


Mrs. Anna Steindam Gerlach 


Miss Alice Marie Marzetti 


Miss Flora Wagner Gerlach 


Mrs. Olivia Meyer Langford 


Miss Mary Louise Gerlach 


Miss Elizabeth Messman 


Mrs. Celia Hunter Graff e 


Miss Marian Molloy 


Miss Sallie Grant 


*Mrs. Edna Stall Morgan 


Mrs. Blanche McCune Graybill 


Miss Ursula Morley 
*Miss Marguerite Moulinier 


Miss Mary Grever 


Mrs. Hallie Wentzel Groesbeck 


Mrs. Mary Jane Henry Murray 


*Mrs Mary McHugh Haviland 


Miss Kathryn Maescher 


Mrs. Clotilde Rampe Herschede 


Miss Mary Blanche Maggini 


Mrs. Alice Grever Hogan 


Miss Angela Moorman 


*Mrs. Eliza Goepper Howard 


Miss Eula Norris 


Miss Marjorie Huerkamp 


Miss Edith O'Neill 


Miss Gertrude Hulsman 


Miss Elsie Overman 


Mrs. Julia Davis Hummel 


Miss Marie Overman 



174 



ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 



Miss Cecilia Overman 
Mrs. Rettie Bickett Owens 
Mrs. Virginia Rhonemus Peale 
Mrs. Eva Walker Pearson 

*Mrs. Susie O'Hara Phillips 

*Miss Mary Piatt 
Miss Kittie Pauli 
Mrs. Helen Edwards Rathenhofer 
Mrs. Anna Boyle Roberts 
Mrs. Ethel Closterman Runck 
Miss Katherine Resor 
Mrs. Florence Grevor Ryan 
Miss Mary Ryan 
Miss Viola Richardson 
Miss Clementine Ritchie 
Mrs. Mary Lynch Shannon 
Miss May Scanlon 
Mrs. Nano Holton Sexton 
Miss Dorothy Schmidt 
Mrs. Marie Oberhelman Shields 
Miss Florence Snider 
Miss Louise Sun 
Miss Gertrude Sullivan 
Miss Mary Shouvlin 
Mrs. Julia Edwards Sliker 
Miss Ellen Halsey Smith 
Mrs. Hettie Dodds Soper 
Mrs. May Davenport Spingler 
Mrs. Daisy Maginnis Sutton 
Miss Margaret Hildreth Sutton 
Miss Dorothy Sutton 
Miss Helen Ursula Sutton 
Mrs. Mary Connelly Tedrick 
Mrs. Alma Doppes Tedrick 
Mrs. Mary Bracht Tilly 
Miss Edith Thoman 
Mrs. Hulda Albrecht Topp 
Miss Alice Vattier 
Mrs. Gertrude Cash Voss 
Miss Loretto Voss 
Miss Marie Voss 
Miss Margo Voss 
Mrs. Frances Seymour Walsh 
Miss Amelia Walsh 
Mrs. Jennie Freschard Wagner 
Mrs. Irma Wiedeman Wagner 
Miss Margaret Walsh 
Mrs. Elizabeth Carroll Weiser 
Mrs. Viola Godbe Werk 
Mrs. Ada Boyle Wetterer 
Miss Florence Wetterer 

*Mrs. Inez Thiedick Whipp 
Mrs. Carolyn O'Donnell White 
Mrs. Katherine Denver Williams 

*Miss Louise Williams 
Mrs. Estelle Matson Winters 
Mrs. Mattie Shidaker Wire 

*Mrs. Kate Bardo Wirthlin 
Mrs. Elma Kline Woerlin 

*Mrs. Juliette Rogers Wright 



Mrs. Flora Strobel Wuest 
Miss Margaret White 
Mrs. Margaret Wentzell 

Oregon 

Mrs. Eleanor Macdonald Banks 
Mrs. Julia Worthington Macdonald 

Pennsylvania 

Mrs. Bertha Mullarkey Franco 
Mrs. Clara Biddle Davis 
Mrs. Alice Van Antwerp Lea 
Miss Charlotte Cullinan 

Tennessee 

Miss Marguerite Aull 
Mrs. Nettie Cocks Barnwell 
Mrs. Catherine Walters Burrows 
*Mrs. Annie Bolger Smith 
Mrs. Elizabeth Magevney Sullivan 
Mrs. Ida Bradford Vaccaro 
Mrs. Mary Mitchell White 
Mrs. Florence Maginnis Walsh 
Miss Dorothy Grimes 

Texas 

Mrs. Gene Sterne Leick 
*Mrs. Dolly Galagher Carr 

Virginia 

Mrs. Kate Massie Ryan Barron 
Comtesse d'Adhemar 
(Nee Marguerite Labrot) 

West Virginia 

Mrs. Genevieve Hesser McLanahan 
Miss Marjorie Barnes 

Washington 

Mrs. Kate Kricker Austen 

Wyoming 

Mrs. Margaret Knight Goodrich 

England 

Mrs. Mary Porteous Snead-Cox 
*Mrs. Elizabeth Magevney Coddington 

France 

Comtesse Benoist d'Azy 
(N6e Carrie Jones) 

Germany 

Mrs. Emma Mackenzie Pauli 
Italy 

Miss Agnes Lincoln 



LIST OF MEMBERS 175 

Jftarriageg 

Mrs. Mary Baird Ardery 
Mrs. Helen Armstrong Baker 
Mrs. Jessie Brasher Brown 
Mrs. Norma Giunchigliani Conway 
Mrs. Veronica Lundy Donovan 
Mrs. Rose Thorner Eisfelder 
Mrs. Margaret Love Evans 
Mrs. Louie Burns Gibson 
Mrs. Merrill Couden Hart 
Mrs. Cecelia Weber Langen 
Mrs. Mary Berry Lawler 
Mrs. Pazzi Roberts Macdonald 
Mrs. Helen Young Oswalt 
Mrs. Gail Brasher Parsons 
Mrs. Florence Grever Ryan 
Mrs. Lena Reichert Renner 
Mrs. Hulda Albrecht Topp 
Mrs. Alma Doppes Tedrick 
Mrs. Harriet Bartelme Tideman 
Mrs. Gertrude Cash Voss 
Mrs. Marguerite Clarke Williams 



2DeatJ)£ 

Mrs. Helen Hunter Cornyn, enrolled 1851 

Mrs. Josephine Hoskins Christy, enrolled, 1850 

Mrs. Anna Bolger Smith, E. de M., enrolled i8( 

Miss Laura Jones 

Mrs. Sophie Kearney Sweet, enrolled 185 1 

Mrs. Eliza Goepper Howard, enrolled 1868 

Mrs. Edna Stall Morgan, '09, E. de M. 

Mrs. Edith Hayes Dolan, enrolled 1903 

Mrs. Pearl Robinson Lamkin, '98 

Miss Louise Williams, '13, E. de M. 

Mrs. Kate Bardo Wirthlin 



announcements 



THE DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY 

In June, 1920, God willing, — at the Alumnae Meeting, 
Brown County Convent will celebrate her Diamond Jubilee; 
the dates for the meeting will be announced later on. 

1845, May 4, eleven nuns, under Notre Mere Julia Chat- 
field, set sail from Havre on the Zurich, for the Cincinnati 
Diocese. 

June 2 they landed in New York. 

June 21, at 3 A. M., they took stage-coach at Cincinnati 
for St. Martin. 

Aug. 6, Feast of the Transfiguration, they changed their 
secular travelling costumes for their Ursuline dress. 

Oct. 4, the first three pupils entered their school and 
work was begun. 



ALUMNAE BUSINESS 

The Nun's hospitality at Reunions has been a matter of 
concern to the ladies from the beginning. Formerly, different 
purses were made up at the meetings, for different objects, 
notably the expenses. It was decided at the last meeting that 
three dollars would cover membership fee (one dollar a year) 
of the year, and the Reunion expenses for that year. So this 
has been established to take the place of the purses. The By- 
Laws have been amended to read "One dollar Initiation Fee 
and one dollar for each year thereafter". 

All former pupils are welcome to enter the Alumnae at 
any time or to attend the Meetings. One of the nuns is First 
Vice-President, and attends to enrollment. Dues should be 
sent to the Treasurer, at present, Mrs. F. M. Lynn, 123 Put- 
nam Avenue, Zanesville, Ohio. 

Art. V., Section 2 of Rules and By-Laws, has been amended 
to read "A Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, and two 



ANNOUNCEMENTS 177 

Directors, shall be elected at one meeting; a President, Record- 
ing Secretary, and two Directors, at the following meeting, 
and so on, alternately." By this arrangement it is proposed 
that each officer may have four years in which to accomplish 
satisfactorily her projects, and it is hoped that by making a 
few changes in the Board each time, a larger number of the 
Alumnae will gradually come into closer touch with the 
centers of its activities. The Board of Officers meet in Mid- 
Lent at Oak Street Convent. 



INSURANCE 

In the letter of Mrs. Rose Thorner Eisfelder is set forth 
the thoughtful scheme of insurance worked out by herself 
and Miss Martha Burns, whose two sisters are Brown County 
Alumnae. It was a plan, the fitness of which experience alone 
might bear witness, and who can tell what more fruitful modi- 
fications the future may bring. Already the Convent has 
received a thousand dollars out of it, and the nuns feel very 
grateful towards those who embarked so generously upon the 
little enterprise, towards Mrs. Eisfelder and Miss Burns, 
Miss Maire Mulle, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Nano Holton Sexton, 
Mrs. Julia Davis Hummel, Miss Clara Freschard and Miss 
Edith Ellerhorst. 



FEDERATION OF CONTENT ALUMNAE 

At the meeting of 1917 it was decided for the Alumnae 
to join the Federation of Convent Alumnae, organized in 1914. 
Its purpose is to uphold the ideals of Catholic womanhood and 
to furnish educational, literary, and social work in harmony 
with these. More than 50,000 women are already enrolled in 
this Federation, — Catholic and non-Catholic, — all interested 
in the common Christian weal of the land. If Suffrage comes, 
— and it seems to be coming, — what cannot such a body of 
women do in protecting the school, the moral standards of 



178 ALUMNAE YEAR BOOK 

the municipality, and all else that affects the home? At the 
Toledo meeting of the State Branch, October, 1917, our Mrs. 
Williams was elected State Vice Governor. With this issue 
of the Year Book go two leaflets regarding the Federation and 
certain interests of the Christian mother. 



EDUCATIONAL LEGISLATION 

And certainly a great responsibility lies at woman's 
door today. There is a most insidious war afoot against the 
freedom of the schools. Socialistic theorists would take the 
child from the mother's care and place it under that of the 
state; in the last decade of years, bills to this effect have been 
entered and defeated in several state legislatures, but now 
they are being launched in Congress itself. January, 19 19, 
sees a bill before Congress by which the private school and 
college, secular or religious, is to be done away with; not by 
open inhibition, but by a squeezing-out policy. The newspapers 
are saying little about it. 

Children are not ninepins. Their freedom should be 
guarded by every Christian woman. Parents should be free 
to choose the school best suited to their little ones. Educators 
should be free to develop their genius for the benefit of their 
fellow mortals. Let the women of the Brown County Alumnae 
keep in touch these days with every educational move made 
in legislature or congress, and influence the vote of congress- 
men for the welfare of their homes. 



WHAT THE PASTOR CAN DO FOR THE HOME 

The Holy Father Pope Benedict, in these days of turmoil, 
has urged Catholics to have in their homes a formal Enthrone- 
ment and Dedication to the Divine Heart of Our Lord. The 
idea is to assemble the family and ask the parish priest to 
conduct the ceremony, making of it a festivel day en famille. 



ANNOUNCEMENTS 179 

Someone has suggested that he was marking the doorposts with 
the Blood of the Lamb before this great epidemic, as did the 
Israelites when the Destroying Angel passed over. Great 
blessings have come to families through this ceremony; peace 
and health and preservations and conversions. It is intended 
that the pastor be the consoler in the home. In this book 
there have been set down some of the beautiful prayers the 
Church has composed, blessings for the homely useful things 
of life. The living Church, ever adapting herself to new needs 
of her children has blessings for everything, from Cattle and 
Telegraph Lines down to the Automobile, with its medal of 
St. Christopher, patron of travel. It is the spirit of the Church 
to have the Pastor- come to the house in Paschal season or 
in times of sickness, to recite these prayers that leave behind 
them a heavenly benediction. Let the wise housewife see to it. 



